THE teacher who allegedly slapped a Grade 5 student in Antipolo City who fell into a coma and died 11 days later has been placed under a 90-day preventive suspension, the Department of Education said yesterday.
“DepEd preventively suspends the teacher for 90 days, but we cannot provide any more details other than this since the investigation is underway,” the DepEd said, referring to the administrative proceedings against the teacher.
The preventive suspension took effect yesterday.
Earlier, Benjo Basas, the national chairperson of the Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC), said the suspension of the teacher identified as Mirasol Sison of the Penafrancia Elementary School came after the motu proprio investigation initiated by the Department of Education on the incident.
Sison went on official leave after the incident.
“According to TDC sources, the DepEd, after a swift investigation, finds the existence of a prima facie case for violation of certain provisions of DepEd Child Protection Policy, Anti-Child Abuse Law, and even the Family Code, among others,” Basas said.
The suspension is for the administrative aspect of the case against Sison. No criminal charges have been filed against her so far.
DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Cesar Bringas previously said Sison could face dismissal if it is proven she committed grave misconduct. But she assured Sison that she would be afforded due process during the administrative proceedings.
Earlier, Antipolo police chief Lt. Col. Ryan Manongdo said Sison could be charged with homicide in relation to Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla last week directed the Antipolo City Prosecutors Office to coordinate with the police for a case build-up in connection with the death of the student
“The DOJ, through the Committee on the Special Protection of Children, has already directed the Office of the City Prosecutor of Antipolo City to coordinate with law enforcement agencies on the investigation and case build-up on any offenses that may have been committed in relation to the death of and or abuse perpetrated against Francis Jay Gumikib,” the DOJ said.
