Korean missionaries cleared of child abuse charges

BENGUET prosecutors cleared two Korean missionaries of child abuse charges due to lack of evidence.

Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Jurgenson Lagdao and Deputy Provincial Prosecutor Andres Gondayao during the flag raising ceremony at the Benguet Capitol on Monday, January 7, said the 19 complaints against the two Koreans, 52-year-old Lee In Suk and Tiehua Woom,55, were dismissed.

Nineteen counts of the alleged violation of Republic Act 7610 known as Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act were filed by the relatives and parents of the pupils of Natubleng Elementary School in Buguias against the Korean nationals.

The Korean nationals were blamed for food poisoning after giving candies to school children in Bangao. The candies were bought from a nearby store on June 27, 2018.

According to earlier reports, students vomited, experienced stomach pain and were rushed to Atok District Hospital in Sayangan for treatment.

The candies were confiscated from the Koreans, parents of complainants and the store in Abatan, Buguias where the Korean nationals bought the candies.

Some 13 blood samples were also submitted to the Department of Health in Cordillera for laboratory examination.

The analytical toxicology of the 13 blood samples showed that sulfhemoglobin was not detected in all 13 samples while methemoglobin was not detected in eight blood samples.

The laboratory results provided the normal value of methemoglobin should not be more than three percent of total hemoglobin and the sulfhemoglobin, the clinical toxicity occurs beyond 10 g/dL.

The test result also indicated negative for bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.

The provincial prosecutor noted based on the test results from the candies, some species of bacteria were found.

“Although some coliform and staphylococcus aureus were found, this does not indicate the presence of toxin. At most they suggest contamination of bacteria during the processing, handling, or storing of candies. Surely, in the absence of convincing evidence, respondents cannot be particularly blamed for such contamination as they only brought the candies from a retail store,” the decision of prosecution read.

The Prosecutor’s Office added the detection of methomoglobin in five blood samples is not enough proof of food poisoning. The detected levels are notably within the normal value.

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