Teener died of asphyxia, ‘quack doctor’ cleared

By: Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Asphyxia due to aspiration killed a teener that was earlier believed to have died after drinking the herbal concoction prescribed by a quack doctor in Brgy. Balingasag Cuartero, Capiz.

This was confirmed by Police Major Dr. Joe Martin Fuentes, medico legal officer of the Regional Crime laboratory who conducted the autopsy on the body of Aljohn Apoldo.

According to Fuentes, the victim also suffered bruises. Foreign objects were found in his chest all the way from his airways which may have caused his death.

Investigators believed that the victim was forced to ingest something that led to his choking.

Because of the finding, kagawad Roger Agustin, who was first implicated and accused of causing his nephew’s death by consulting a quack doctor, was cleared of any suspicion.

Fuentes said he did not believe that the victim was cursed by a witch as the latter was admitted in the hospital because of depression after his parents died this year.

Earlier, the family blamed a “quack doctor” for the death of Aljohn after prescribing an herbal concoction.

Aljohn was found dead inside their house Thursday morning at Barangay Balangisag, Cuartero, Capiz.

Aljohn’s uncle, village council member Roger Agustin found the victim.

According to another uncle, Joseph Apoldo, his nephew took a mixture of herbal medicines, vinegar, toyo, salt, among others, as advised by the quack doctor.

Joseph said he wanted his nephew cured after he was allegedly afflicted with a mysterious sickness (yanggaw) by another person.

It was learned that Aljohn got depressed after his parents died this year. Since then, the victim was always seen talking alone and walking half-naked.

Joseph believes that depression may have forced his cousin to consult a quack doctor.