Authorities probe lapses of Antipolo school in alleged slapping of Grade 5 student

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 4) — Authorities are set to investigate lapses in the reporting of the alleged slapping of a Grade 5 student who died 11 days after the incident, Antipolo City Mayor Junjun Ynares said on Wednesday.

Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, Ynares said regional officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) are expected to go to Antipolo on Wednesday to investigate the incident involving 14-year-old Francis Gumikib. The student died on Monday after experiencing intolerable headache and ear pain, days after he was allegedly slapped by his teacher on Sept. 21.

The mayor said local authorities only learned about the incident after Gumikib died. Prior to this, it was only reported to school officials, he added.

Ynares said the school had 48 hours after learning about the alleged slapping to come up with an intake sheet and incident report. This was supposed to be submitted to the regional DepEd and its division office in Antipolo.

“Kung two weeksna ang nakalipas at nalaman lang namin lahat dito nung Lunes...'yan ay lampas lampas na sa 48 hours given to the school based on DepEd protocol so definitely may lapses dito,” he said.

[Translation: If two weeks have passed and we only knew all of this on Monday, that's already beyond the 48 hours given to school based on DepEd protocol so definitely there are lapses here.]

So far, Antipolo police have spoken to two of Gumikib’s classmates, Ynares said. Both have said the incident happened as the noisy students were told to exit the room after being reported by the victim, he added.

The witnesses claimed the teacher grabbed Gumikib’s hair and uniform before he was hit.

The teacher, who is on official leave, has denied slapping the student hard.

Cases of physical injury and child abuse may be filed, Ynares said. Antipolo Police chief PLt. Col. Ryan Mangondo said on Tuesday authorities are preparing to file a homicide case.

Gumikib’s body will soon undergo an autopsy to determine his exact cause of death.

Ynares said this is an isolated case and local authorities will ensure justice will be served.