No new autopsy of ‘slapped’ boy

MANILA, Philippines — There will be no new autopsy of the Grade 5 student who died after he was allegedly slapped by his teacher in Antipolo City, Rizal last month.

This was according to investigators from the Antipolo police, Lt. Col. Maria Anna Lisa de la Cruz, chief medico-legal officer of the police Forensic Group’s Rizal provincial field unit, said.

She said the family of Francis Jay Gumikib, 14, who said they would ask for a reautopsy by the National Bureau of Investigation, had a change of heart.

De la Cruz maintained  that Gumikib’s health conditions that led to his death were not triggered by the slapping incident.

”From our findings, the alleged slap from the teacher has no direct effect on the intracerebral hemorrhage,” De la Cruz said.

Meanwhile, police said there is no timetable on when a complaint for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act would be filed against the teacher.

City police chief Lt. Col. Ryan Manongdo said it would depend on the family of Gumikib.

Manongdo had ruled out homicide and physical injury complaints against the teacher of the boy, citing the result of the autopsy, which showed that he died of natural causes.