A Grade 11 student reportedly died while he was playing basketball during his school's intramurals on Feb. 22, the boy's school announced.
In a statement, the Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College (OLOPSC) in Marikina confirmed the death of Shann Mikhail Estaquio while participating in the event.
According to the school administration, Estaquio suddenly collapsed at 9:27 a.m. during his basketball match.
"Despite the urgent response from our experienced emergency medical responders prior to the arrival of the ambulance, unfortunately Shan expired at the hospital at around 11:06 a.m.," OLOPSC said, adding that it "will be extending any and all forms of assistance to help Shann's family, including financial and emotional support."
Stress debriefings and grief counseling will also be conducted by the school for all students who witnessed the boy's passing.
"Shann's demise is unforeseen and isolated. We reassure everyone that our school is continuously putting a premium to the total wellbeing of our community. We are taking all countermeasures to avoid similar incidents in the future, including strengthening our emergency response protocols. We also reassure everyone that we listen to your comments, suggestions, and grievances, as we maintain openness and transparency to all our shareholders." OLOPSC said.
Meanwhile, a video of the incident quickly went viral on social media where Estaquio was seen having a seizure and medical personnel from the school administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the boy, raising eyebrows from netizens and medical practitioners alike.
Medical professionals said individuals having seizures should not be given CPR as their breathing is expected to resume normally afterward.
Following the incident, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) slammed OLOPSC for its "gross negligence" in handling the incident.
"The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) strongly condemns the gross negligence of the administration of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College (OLOPSC) Marikina in handling the medical emergency that led to the tragic and preventable death of Shann Eustaquio. This is not just incompetence; this is negligence that cost a young person's life," SCAP said in its statement.
"A school of such stature should be able to afford qualified medical professionals on standby, especially during could-be high-risk events like intramurals. Their failure to do so, along with their alleged efforts to suppress discussions and erase evidence, speaks volumes about their priorities-protecting their image over ensuring the safety and well-being of their students," it added, noting that instead of taking full accountability, the school's administration "attempted to downplay the incident as "unforeseen and isolated."
"Their failure to recognize their lapses in medical response, lack of proper emergency protocols, and absence of immediate medical personnel only proves their gross disregard for student welfare. This was not an accident-it was a systemic failure that could have been prevented had the institution taken proactive steps to ensure student safety." the group stressed.
SCAP said it is closely coordinating with the OLOPSC Senior High School Student Council and individual students who have witnessed the incident for further collective action.