Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Article (news)

Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

CAVITE — The Grade 4 pupil who died following a school-based deworming activity in Trece Martires, Cavite was laid to rest Wednesday, as his family continued to call for justice, believing the antiparasitic medicine contributed to his death.No conclusions have been made on whether the death was directly related to anti-parasitic medicine used in the deworming. A multi-agency invevstigation is ongoing.The funeral procession stopped at the Hugo Perez Elementary School-Annex, where mourners blew their vehicle horns in protest over what the family described as the erroneous administration of the medicine.“Hindi ko na siya mahawakan, hindi ko na siya mayakap,” said Rutchie Mission, the heartbroken mother of 8-year-old Rex.“Ang hirap po talagang mawalan ng anak, masakit sa kalooban, masakit talaga po,” she added.The family vowed to continue seeking justice, insisting that someone should be held accountable for the child’s death.“Rex, andito lang ako. Hahanapin natin ang hustisya para mapatunayan talaga kung sino ang nagkasala. Kahit mahirap tayo, hahanap tayo ng hustisya,” Mrs. Mission said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/7/14/doh-says-deworming-remains-safe-won-t-suspend-program-after-grade-4-pupil-s-death-1655">DOH says deworming remains safe, won’t suspend program after Grade 4 pupil’s death</a></div><div> </div><div>MEDICINE NO EXPIRED, PROPER DOSE GIVEN</div>Rex died on July 3, less than 24 hours after he fell ill. His teacher administered albendazole to him on July 2.Apart from Rex, seven of the 1,824 students who received albendazole experienced adverse events, according to the Department of Education.Based on the death certificate obtained by ABS-CBN News, Rex died from a central nervous system infection that led to septic shock.Authorities have yet to conclusively determine whether his death was directly linked to the antiparasitic medicine.The National Bureau of Investigation conducted an autopsy on Tuesday.“Lahat po ng kasong dumarating dito sa NBI ay iimbestigahan natin, maliit man o malaking kaso, alinsunod sa proseso,” said NBI Director Melvin Matibag.A multi-agency investigation has also been launched, participated by the local government.“I don’t think naman na may maling nangyari kasi they all followed the process,” said Trece Martires City Administrator Jeannette Tolentino, noting that the teacher administered the proper dose and that the medicine was not expired.“Albendazole is a [World Health Organization]-approved medicine. So, it is used nationwide by the [Department of Health] and [Department of Education],” she added.Tolentino said the local government is also awaiting the autopsy results, which she believes would help establish that the medicine remains safe and effective.“It’s safe, it’s effective, it’s being done and it’s being taken previously pa,” she said.The official continued, “Hindi naman talaga matatanggal ang takot ng mga magulang. Ang puwede naming panghawakan na hindi ’yan nakakamatay, kung makakakuha din kami ng autopsy report.”For now, Tolentino said the local government will continue implementing the deworming program as mandated by the Department of Health.

The Grade 4 pupil who died following a school-based deworming activity in Trece Martires, Cavite was laid to rest Wednesday, as his family continued to call for justice, believing the antiparasitic medicine contributed to his death.

The Grade 4 pupil who died following a school-based deworming activity in Trece Martires, Cavite was laid to rest Wednesday, as his family continued to call for justice, believing the antiparasitic medicine contributed to his death.

Grade 4 pupil laid to rest as family seeks justice for death they blame on deworming

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Grade 4 pupil laid to rest as family seeks justice for death they blame on deworming

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 15, 2026 06:36 PM PHT

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Updated July 15, 2026 07:38 PM PHT

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DOH

Department of Health

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Cavite

deworming

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