CHR-7 asks family of two other babies to testify
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) invited a parent of a third baby whose mouth was taped to keep a pacifier in place, to cooperate with an investigation of the Cebu Puericulture Center and Maternity House, Inc.
“We talked to Lucresio Son in barangay Tabunan, Cebu City and he told us that he is willing to cooperate and submit his affidavit,” CHR-7 lawyer Dante Jadman told reporters yesterday.
Son said his baby was born in the hospital last August 2012. He had no photos to show.
Jadman said the CHR instead showed him photos of baby Yohannes Noval, the son of couple Ryan Noval and Jasmine Badocdoc to Son and his father.
Son’s father recalled that his grandson also had a blue pacifier taped to his mouth.
Affidavit
Jadman said Son will submit his affidavit to the CHR office anytime today.
The mother of the two-year-old boy is now in Negros.
“The sworn statements of Son can be used as corroborative evidence for baby Yohannes’ case and it’s a very big help,” he said.
Jadman said the CHR team also visited the house of the 22-year-old single mother who posted a photo collage of her daughter, Blaire, whose mouth was also taped with a pacifier.
“We told her that there is nothing to be worried about if she submits her affidavit,” he said.
Citizenship
The young mother told them that she is willing to help but her husband and other family members disagreed.
“We invited her to come to our office today,” Jadman said.
Next Tuesday, an inter-agency government panel will review the three cases in order to finalize a resolution on baby Yohannes Noval’s case.
“Some members were unable to attend the second meeting last May 27,” Jadman said.
The panel is comprised of representatives from the CHR-7, Departments of Health (DOH-7), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) and Justice (DOJ), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) and Women and Children Protection Desk of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
Ryan Noval said he is waiting for other families to give sworn statements before filing a case in court. He and his wife Jasmine Badocdoc went to the US Consulate last Tuesday.
Noval said he is processing documents needed for the US citizenship of his two children including baby Yohannes.
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