29/09/2026
𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝟲 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗟𝗗.
𝗔 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗣𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗔 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗗𝗬.
On May 7, 2025, a Grade 1 boy in Quezon was bitten on his left hand by the family’s one-month-old puppy while playing at home.
It appeared to be only a small bite.
But three days later, the puppy died.
On May 12, the boy’s mother reportedly informed the attending nurse about the puppy’s death.
The boy had received an anti-rabies vaccine. However, according to the complaint filed by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), he was not given Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG), and the PAO alleges that other required assessments and interventions were not properly carried out.
On June 12, the child developed fever and nausea. His parents brought him to the Quezon Provincial Hospital in Gumaca.
The following night, June 13, 2025, the six-year-old boy died.
His death certificate reportedly listed the cause of death as:
“Acute laryngospasm due to rabies encephalopathy from rabies infection.”
𝗔 𝟲-𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥-𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗 𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗦.
Now, the Public Attorney’s Office is pursuing legal action.
PAO has filed a civil case for damages against Dr. Maria Victoria Veloso, Chief of the Quezon Provincial Hospital Network–Gumaca, and attending nurse Ma. Fe Alice Panopio.
According to PAO’s allegations, questions include:
• Why was Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) allegedly not administered?
• Why was anti-tetanus treatment reportedly not given?
• Why was the anti-rabies vaccination allegedly administered without a licensed physician present?
• Was the child properly assessed and was his medical history properly taken?
PAO Chief Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta has said that the circumstances appeared to indicate possible negligence by the medical personnel involved.
However, these are allegations that will have to be established through the legal process. The case is still subject to the determination of the courts.
Three mediation proceedings reportedly failed to produce an agreement between the parties.
The boy’s family is seeking approximately ₱4.3 MILLION in damages, including actual damages and loss of earning capacity.
A separate criminal case was also reportedly being prepared for filing by government prosecutors.
Behind all the legal terms, complaints, and proceedings is a grieving family who lost their six-year-old child.
A child who should have had his whole life ahead of him.
This case should remind every parent of one important thing:
𝗔 𝗗𝗢𝗚 𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗦 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔𝗟.
Seek immediate medical attention after an animal bite, especially when the animal becomes sick or dies afterward.
And for this little boy—
🕊️ Rest in peace, little one.
May your family find justice, comfort, and strength.