Number rises to four, two other babies ‘silenced’ with tape

CEBU, Philippines -  Information about a third “taped” baby surfaced yesterday, while Ryan Noval, the father of baby Yohannes whose photos first stirred the controversy, said he knows of a fourth baby at Cebu Puericulture Center and Maternity House, Inc. (CPCMHI) whose mouth was also taped to hold in place a pacifier.

On May 9, Noval uploaded a photo of his son with Jasmine Badocdoc showing the baby’s lips sealed with a plaster. On May 24, Chesiel Lyka Arsua also posted a photo of her baby Blair with a similar tape on her lips.

Yesterday it was Lucresio Son of Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City who claimed the son of his daughter Lushella was also taped to hold a pacifier in place after being born at the CPCMHI August 8, 2013.

Noval told reporters yesterday he knows of another baby whose lips were also taped. He said he was able to get in touch with the mother of the fourth baby last Tuesday but declined to name her for now.

Aside from information, no photos of the third and fourth baby have been presented so far.

Son said he is willing to testify in the incident and help the parents of baby Yohannes.

“Unta, mokiha mi pero ang ako lang, wala ko’y ebidensya kay wala man mi naka-picture ato gud. Ug wala pod mi kwarta para mopasaka og kaso,” he said, adding that he surfaced after hearing CPCMHI denied the taping incident.

He said his grandson had to stay in CPCMHI for three days for medication.

“Akong gipangutana ang nurse para asa ang tape ug nganong gi-pacifier akong apo ug ingon nila, para dili magsige’g hilak,” he said.

He could no longer remember the nurse who removed the tape.

“Ang among pagtuo, mao na gyod na ang naandan sa hospital, ang kanang pacifier ug plaster,” he said.

Noval said he is happy that the third and fourth baby’s parents are coordinating with them now.

“Sad, kay daghan na diay ang gi-tape-pan, but malipayon ko kay nanggawas na sila kay bati kaayo kon ako ra ang usa ang motingog unya daghan na diay ang nahitabo nga ingon ani,” he said.

Hearing

In yesterday’s meeting, the inter-agency task force decided to defer revealing the resolution of its fact-finding investigation in light of Noval’s plan to file charges soon.

“Ang complainant gusto naman mokiha, nakita man nato nga gamiton nila atong report. So, it would be a bias on the part sa respondent or sa hospital,” said lawyer Dante Jadman of the Commission on Human Rights.

The lawyer of Baby Yohanne’s parents, Heidi Orbiso said that they will be filing a formal complaint and plan to use the results of the fact-finding committee for their case.

“It may not have any bearing but I could call anyone of you as witness,” said Orbiso.

Jadman said that as an inter-agency committee, they do not have teeth regarding the matter and what they can do is recommendatory only. He also asked both parties if there is room for settlement.

“From our side, always open,” said CPCMHI lawyer Cornelio Mercado.

“At this point in time, it is very difficult already,” said Orbiso.

Inconsistencies

In yesterday’s hearing, hospital personnel also confirmed the use of plasters to hold pacifiers in place, per instruction from a doctor. This despite the earlier statement of medical director Raida Varona that they do not use pacifiers, as stated in her institutional report.

“It is our firm conviction and we do trust that our nurses did not put the plaster or could they ever think of putting plaster on both the upper and lower lips of the baby. We are at a loss on the presence of the pacifier since Baby Badocdoc is a breast-fed infant,” her statement read. 

Nurse Arianne Pacula said she has worked in the nursery for a year now and has fastened a pacifier to a baby twice. Kamille Isabela Neri, who has worked in the nursery for four years, also admitted having carried out the taping four times.

Midwife Orlanes Methozeva said that in her two years working in the nursery, she has taped babies on three occasions.

“Sa upper lip or diri sa ubos para mo-anchor ra gyud sa pacifier na dili siya matagak,” Neri said as she demonstrated the proper way of applying a plaster to hold a pacifier in place. She also said this was applied on a case-to-case basis.

Security measures

Dr. Ester Concha of the Department of Social Welfare and Services said that there is “something wrong in the security” of the hospital after Pacula said let Badocdoc to breastfeed her baby in the nursery.

“I don’t know if normally, we allow that thing sa atong nursery na ang mama ang mukuha sa bata kay usually, ang mama mohulat sa nursing room. Ang nurse, maoy mo-carry sa baby ngadto sa mama,” Concha said.

Pacula said that by the time that time, Badocdoc was already beside the baby’s crib.

“Ako ang nagpasulod ni Badocdoc sa MCR (Mother-Child Room) pero wala ko kahibaw nganong nakasulod siya sa nursery room,” said Methozeva.

Badocdoc questioned how the nurses can “vividly” remember events and timeline but not how her baby’s mouth was taped.

“But they don’t remember where the plaster came from and the pacifier and when or who put the plaster on my baby’s mouth… Does that mean that you have selective memory? Because if that is the case, that is a risk to the baby’s you are handling. Something as important as that, you cannot remember, that is very unacceptable,” she said.

Concha also said that with the establishment having three working shifts, the case of baby Yohannes could have been endorsed to the next one.

“Ngano wala na-report para ma-receive sa next shift then the management could have been informed,” said Concha.

CPCMHI has not replied to her query.

Baby pics

Jenneth Aquino of DSWD said under RA 7610 or “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act” taking photos of babies in nurseries is prohibited.

However, the parents of baby Yohannes said there were no signs or warnings inside the nursery.

“There was no policy or guideline inside or outside the nursery saying you cannot allow photographing babies inside the nurseries,” said Badocdoc.

Pacula said they usually reprimand those who take photos.

“Usually if makakita mi ang mother sige’g picture, amo man na siya badlungon,” said Pacula.

CHR special investigator Lilibeth LLona asked if the hospital has a child protection policy.

“I’m informed that they [Maternity House] have none” Mercado replied.

During the last inter-agency meeting yesterday, Mercado presented the photocopy of the visitor’s logbook and DVD copy footage at the parking area and cashier.

Badocdoc questioned the relevance of the footages since it does not show the exact timeline of the events.

Regarding the alleged second taped baby, CPCMHI also released a statement:

“The Board of Trustees of Cebu Puericulture Center and Maternity House, Inc. regrets the events that allegedly transpired on May 9, 2014 in the nursery of our hospital, where baby Yohannes Noval’s mouth appeared to have a piece of tape on his upper lip, and where a pacifier is seen on the side,” the statement reads.

“Likewise, we regret the emergence of a photo of a second baby – Baby Blaire Arsua who appears with a pacifier taped to her mouth. A nasal cannula that supplies oxygen is also observed in Baby Blaire’s case,” it added.

They reiterated in the statement that “CPCMHI does not allow the use of a pacifier or tape to hold it in place, unless ordered by the attending physician. Fortunately, no injury was sustained by the babies.”

In the press statement, CPCMHI said that they are conducting an independent investigation.

“The Board of Trustees of CPCMHI welcomes this and will abide by the outcome and decision of the investigating body,” the statement read.

Explain

After the recent developments, the Cebu City government is now demanding Cebu Puericulture Center and Maternity House, Inc. for an explanation of the said “cruel act”.

Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella said it is only appropriate for the city to ask for an official statement from the maternity house administration since the alleged offense occurred in the City of Cebu.

“It was not just an isolated case. With this new report now the hospital concerned should make a statement whether or not this has been allowed by them.  We have to know their stand whether or not this (taping of babies’ lips) has become a practice or a policy,” Labella said.

Labella earlier pointed out that the incident is a serious offense against Presidential Decree 603 (Child and Youth Welfare Code), Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and RA 9262 (Violence against Women and Children).

Section 10 Article 6 of RA 7610 provides that “any person who shall commit other acts of child abuse, cruelty or exploitation or to be responsible for other conditions prejudicial to the child’s development…shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period”.

Labella also said the city is willing to provide legal assistance to the parents of the babies if they want to file charges against the nurses and the management.

“We will provide legal assistance pursuant to the general welfare. We have lawyers to assist,” he said stressing that the incident was beyond “cruelty” and a violation of human rights.  —with Kristine B. Quintas/BRP (FREEMAN)