On students's death: CSCST execs meet with cops

Officials of the Cebu State College of Science and Technology yesterday showed up at the police Homicide Section to shed light on the electrocution of student Raymund Pepito Wednesday morning.

But homicide chief Mario Monilar refused to divulge what transpired during their meeting with school officials, who asked for time to come up with a statement on the matter, as they have yet to confer with their legal counsel.

Among those who met with the police were Pepito's instructor Concordio Coliao, school nurse Maribeth Cabanet and Segundino Cuadra, chairman of the school's electrical department.

Meanwhile, Monilar said he was still waiting whether or not Pepito's family would file charges against the school.

Initial police investigation said around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Pepito and his classmates, Joselito Sortones and Francisco Saquez, were using an LG portable grinder to polish a wooden chair during a class on cabinet and furniture making.

Moments later, Pepito who was operating the grinder, confided to Sortones that the equipment had malfunctioned, prompting Sortones to check on it. But it was too late as the current from the equipment zapped Pepito.

CSCST director for technology Cecilio Baga said that in their own investigation, Sortones admitted that he too felt the current when he touched Pepito's body. He added that Pepito was standing near the extension cord before he complained that the grinder was not working.

Baga explained that they immediately sought assistance from Cabanet who applied first aid on Pepito to no avail.

Baga said they started their investigation into Pepito's death yesterday but had not gathered enough information as to the cause of the student's death.

He said that CSCST would come up with its official statement only after the release of the results of the police investigation and the medical report.

He noted that they are now working for the release of the P100,000 insurance to Pepito's family but this would depend on the results of the medical examination and the police findings.

If proven that the student really died from electrocution, Baga said the CSCST would improve its safety measures to avoid similar incidents in the future. -Ryan P. Borinaga and Jasmin R. Uy