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Advocates Philippines
Grade 5 Student 'Slapped' By Teacher Dies
Photo credit: Peñafrancia Elementary School
On September 21, 2023, a fourteen-year-old Grade 5 student, Francis Jay Dumikib of Peñafrancia Elementary School in Mayamot, Antipolo City, passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023, following allegations of physical abuse by a his teacher.
The Antipolo police are preparing a homicide and child abuse case against the teacher, pending the results of the medical-legal examination and autopsy on the victim's body.
According to the initial investigation, the incident took place three days before the victim's demise. Francis Jay Gumikil complained of hearing impairment, headaches, loss of balance, and nausea, prompting his hospitalization. He fell into a coma and tragically succumbed to his injuries. The Filipino teacher has been identified as the primary suspect in the case.
Antipolo Police spokesperson stated, "The teacher claims that she did not slap the student." However, contradicting this account are statements from two of the victim's classmates who were witnesses to the incident. They reported, "According to the two children, the teacher grabbed the student by his clothing, pulled his hair, and then slapped him."
These witness accounts align closely with the victim's mother's statement, who revealed that her son had confided in her before being hospitalized.
She said, "My son told me that he told his teacher his classmates were being noisy, and the teacher asked if he wanted to join them. When my son sat down, the teacher went back to him, pulled his uniform, and when she had a hold of it, she didn't stop there; she also pulled him by the hair and then slapped him."
Photographs of the victim shared by the Antipolo police reveal a significant bruise on the back of his neck.
In response to the incident, the Department of Education (DepEd) issued a statement: "We have spoken with the concerned Schools Division Superintendent (SDS), who is already looking into the matter and is awaiting a report from the principal regarding the incident. The SDS will also personally visit the school in question tomorrow to conduct further inquiries."
The Antipolo police are preparing a homicide and child abuse case against the teacher, pending the results of the medical-legal examination and autopsy on the victim's body.
According to the initial investigation, the incident took place three days before the victim's demise. Francis Jay Gumikil complained of hearing impairment, headaches, loss of balance, and nausea, prompting his hospitalization. He fell into a coma and tragically succumbed to his injuries. The Filipino teacher has been identified as the primary suspect in the case.
Antipolo Police spokesperson stated, "The teacher claims that she did not slap the student." However, contradicting this account are statements from two of the victim's classmates who were witnesses to the incident. They reported, "According to the two children, the teacher grabbed the student by his clothing, pulled his hair, and then slapped him."
These witness accounts align closely with the victim's mother's statement, who revealed that her son had confided in her before being hospitalized.
She said, "My son told me that he told his teacher his classmates were being noisy, and the teacher asked if he wanted to join them. When my son sat down, the teacher went back to him, pulled his uniform, and when she had a hold of it, she didn't stop there; she also pulled him by the hair and then slapped him."
Photographs of the victim shared by the Antipolo police reveal a significant bruise on the back of his neck.
In response to the incident, the Department of Education (DepEd) issued a statement: "We have spoken with the concerned Schools Division Superintendent (SDS), who is already looking into the matter and is awaiting a report from the principal regarding the incident. The SDS will also personally visit the school in question tomorrow to conduct further inquiries."
Oct 3, 2023
