‘Slapped’ student died from burst blood vessel

MANILA, Philippines — The Grade 5 student, who was allegedly slapped by his teacher, died from hemorrhage and swelling of the brain caused by a ruptured blood vessel, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group.

Brig. Gen. Constancio Chinayog Jr., Forensic Group director, announced yesterday the results of the autopsy and histopathology examination on the body of Francis Jay Gumikib, 14, a student of the Peñafrancia Elementary School, who died in a hospital in Marikina City on Oct. 2.

“After several readings and confirmation and a peer group review of the case, the pathologist concluded that the cause of death was intracerebral hemorrhage and edema,” Chinayog told a press briefing at Camp Crame.

When asked to elaborate, Lt. Col. Anna Lissa de la Cruz, chief medico-legal officer of the Forensic Group’s Rizal field unit, said edema or swelling of the brain, which caused Gumikib’s death, was caused by a ruptured blood vessel, which she said is non-traumatic in nature.

Dela Cruz said it is a rare condition, which occurs in people aged one to 18.

“Bigla na lang. Kasi fragile yung mga ugat na yun. It can rupture or burst simultaneously or spontaneously,” she explained.

A computerized tomography scan showed the hemorrhage came from the medullary pontine or innermost area of the brain.

Police officials said they have an expert’s opinion on whether the boy’s death was a direct result of the teacher’s slapping, but have yet to discuss their findings with Gumikib’s parents.

They refused to say if there were injuries on the boy’s skull.

Gumikib reportedly experienced vomiting and severe headache after the alleged slapping incident.

He fell into a coma shortly after he was rushed to a hospital when his condition worsened.