Grieving family of ‘slapped’ 5th grader gets support
A subsequent forensics examination by the PNP stated that the student died of a blood vessel rupture in the brain not related to the slap, the origin of which may have been congenital in nature.
Daily TribuneA subsequent forensics examination by the PNP stated that the student died of a blood vessel rupture in the brain not related to the slap, the origin of which may have been congenital in nature.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development, through its Field Office 4-A (Calabarzon Region), continues to render assistance to the family of Francis Jay Gumikib, the fifth grader who passed away days after he was reportedly slapped by his teacher in Antipolo City. However, a subsequent forensics examination by the PNP stated that the student died of a blood vessel rupture in the brain not related to the slapping, the origin of which may have been congenital in nature.
In his report to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, FO-4A Regional Director Barry Chua said that in addition to the P10,000 financial aid for the deceased student's medical bills, the Gumikib family also received a guarantee letter from DSWD worth P50,000 as a form of burial assistance.
The Office of Antipolo City 1st Congressional Rep. Roberto V. Puno also handed out a P10,000 cash aid to the Gumikib family, according to DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez. "To ensure the welfare of the bereaved family, we will closely coordinate with the authorities and concerned agencies," Lopez, who is also the agency spokesperson, said.
The DSWD has been assisting the Gumikibs since Secretary Gatchalian ordered Director Chua to conduct case management for the bereaved family as well as provide immediate financial assistance for the hospital and funeral expenses.
The 14-year-old Francis Jay, whose remains will be buried Sunday 15 October, was a Grade 5 student at the Peñafrancia Elementary School in Antipolo City where the alleged slapping incident occurred. The 5th grader went into a coma a few days after the incident and passed away 11 days later, but the slapping, it was later found, was not related to his death. Lieutenant Colonel Maria Anna Lissa dela Cruz, the chief medico-legal officer of the Rizal provincial field unit, said days later that Gumikib's cause of death was cerebral edema secondary to intra-cerebral hemorrhage consistent with ruptured arteriovenous malformation. The report further states that this is "non-traumatic in nature".
Secretary Gatchalian has earlier directed the Calabarzon Field Office to closely monitor the Gumikib family in order to provide psycho-social support and counseling as they continue to grieve the untimely loss of their son Francis Jay.