Boy, 9, beaten up by schoolmates

MANILA, Philippines - A nine-year-old boy is reported to be in critical condition after he was beaten up by two schoolmates in the Tañong Elementary School campus in Malabon City Wednesday.

Fred Aston Mendoza is currently confined at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center due to liver and kidney complications as a result of the attack. Mendoza is a grandson of tabloid reporter Ismael Santos.

According to reports, Mendoza, a grade four student, was approached by two boys, aged nine and 11, during the recess period. They repeatedly kicked him in the torso and stopped when he started crying, police said.

Mendoza was brought to the hospital after he had a seizure Wednesday night. Investigators are trying to find out if school officials knew of the incident.