Crime Midwife Arrested in Manila for Fatal Circumcision Incident

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Manila Bulletin

 

In Manila's bustling district of Tondo, the police have apprehended a 68-year-old midwife linked to the tragic death of a 10-year-old boy following a circumcision procedure. The suspect, identified as "Teresita," was detained nearly two months after the incident, which has sparked significant concern and outrage.

 

Teresita, a resident of Balut, Tondo, was captured based on a warrant for Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Homicide and Illegal Practice of Medicine. The warrant, issued by Judge Joel A. Lucasan of the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 27 in Manila, marks her as the fifth most wanted person at the station level.

 

The grim episode unfolded on May 17, when Teresita performed the circumcision at a local lying-in clinic. According to Colonel Ronald De Leon of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 1, the procedure went terribly wrong after the suspect administered 20cc of anesthesia. The young boy began convulsing and quickly lost consciousness. Despite being rushed to a hospital, he was tragically declared dead on arrival.

 

An official autopsy revealed that the boy suffered from a subarachnoid haemorrhage, which involves bleeding in the head, as the cause of death. This devastating outcome has raised serious questions about the administration of anaesthesia and the suspect's qualifications for such procedures.

 

Despite being a licensed midwife, Teresita's professional integrity has been called into question. She previously faced a medical malpractice complaint for reportedly posing as a doctor. Patients who received treatment from her later discovered her lack of a formal medical licence, exacerbating the controversy surrounding her arrest.

 

Currently, Teresita is held at the female custodial facility of MPD Police Station 1. This case highlights potentially severe gaps in regulatory oversight and calls for stringent enforcement of medical practice laws in the Philippines.

 

As the investigation continues, this incident underscores the critical importance of ensuring that proper medical protocols and procedures are always adhered to, protecting vulnerable patients from such tragic outcomes.

 

The case is a stark reminder for communities to remain vigilant in verifying the credentials of individuals offering medical services and the critical need for strict enforcement of existing laws to safeguard public health. This distressing narrative resonates far beyond Manila, urging renewed attention to public safety regulations worldwide.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Manila Bulletin 2025-07-11

 

 

[Taboo2]

They should give her the same procedure without anesthesia and leave her in a gutter.

[scorecard]

10 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

They should give her the same procedure without anesthesia and leave her in a gutter.

 

Good point.

 

Perhaps not widely known is that boys are not circumcized at birth in the Philippines, but they are circumcized at about 20 years old (not 10 years old) and the circumcision is very often performed by totally unqualified /  untrained  people (99% women). Often an old 'aunty' from the local community using basic knives, sewing scissors etc.

 

There is no legal requirement for the 'cutter' to be qualified or registered.

 

The result is often ugly, often leaving large floppy areas of flesh mid way long the penis shaft. 

[PETERTHEEATER]

I was never circumcised; I was circumnavigated.......