4-year-old dies after alleged physical abuse by stepmother

A four-year-old child in the town of Bamban in Tarlac died after alleged maltreatment by father's live-in partner, according to Russel Simorio’s report on GMA Regional TV "Balitang Amianan" on Wednesday.

In a video, the victim who was identified as Jericho Galang of Barangay Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac, spoke about the instances he was allegedly maltreated.

“Gigising ako sisipa niya ako, susuntok nya’ko,” Jericho related to his aunt.

The victim also said that he was fed chili and poked in the stomach by the stepmother, the live-in partner of his father.

The video was taken before the boy died.

The boy also had wounds on his head and parts of his body because of the alleged physical abuse.

According to the victim's aunt, Gema Galang, the incidents occurred while the child's father was working in Manila.

"'Yung maselang bahagi ng pamangkin ko, tinali. May sugat-sugat pa nga. Tapos 'yung sa ulo niya inuntog sa pader. Pina-check-up ko siya sa pedia, pinadala na siya sa surgeon dahil ganun na 'yung kalagayan niya,” said Gema.

(The delicate part of my nephew was tied up. There are wounds. And his head was hit against a wall. I brought him to a pediatrician for a check up, he was then sent to a surgeon because of his condition.)

According to Jericho's Death Certificate, he had Septic shock. In the previous medical certificate before the child's death, in addition to septic shock, the victim also had multiple abrasions on the body.

The Women and Children's Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Bamban Police are investigating the incident and are awaiting the results of the medico-legal examination of the child's remains before filing a complaint against the suspect.

WCPD Bamban Police Station Chief Police Chief Master Sergeant (PCMS) Aileen Feleciano said "Kapag fi-nile natin yan sa Prosecutor's Office yan, titignan kung may probable cause. Yung violation ng RA 7610 ang kakaharapin ng stepmother."

(If we file this case at the Prosecutor's office, they will check if there is probable cause. The stepmother will face the charge of violation of RA 7610.)

GMA Regional TV Balitang Amianan is still trying to get a statement from the suspect. -- Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA News