Davide Condemns Putting Plaster on Newborn’s Mouth

●’Presidential Decree 603, RA 7610, RA 9262 may also be labeled at against the offender’

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has condemned the alleged act of putting a plaster to an infant’s mouth, saying it was against the law. The governor was referring to the actuation of a nurse who allegedly placed an adhesive on a crying infant’s mouth for crying too loud in a hospital nursery.

“Let the child cry. Nine months siya sud sa womb sa iyang mother, the child has to be allowed to emote. Kung tinuod man gani na’ng giingun nga gi-tapean, di gyud na tarong,” said Davide.

The governor said he only read the report on from the newspapers, so he could not further comment on it. But if it indeed happened, Davide said, the hospital must do something to stop it.

The governor said the children must “be given the utmost care and not be deprived of their freedom which includes the right to cry being one of their few ways to communicate with the adults”.

Davide’s comment was sought after it was reported that a nurse in one of the hospitals in Cebu City had allegedly sealed the baby’s mouth with plaster to shut the crying baby off.

The Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) had earlier warned of the hospital’s possible violation of law that protects children.

According to Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella Presidential Decree 603 (Child and Youth Welfare Code), RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act), RA 9262 (Violence against Women and Children) and other offense may also be labeled at against the offender.

Labella, a lawyer, had asked that the incident should be investigated.

The child’s parents had hinted filing criminal cases against the nurse.