By APD writer Melo M. Acuna

MANILA, Dec. 3 (APD) – The parents of children who died after allegedly receiving The controversial dengue vaccine known as Dengvaxia today asked The Department of Justice to allow Them to add two more respondents to The criminal complaints against Then Health Secretary Janette Loreto Garin and several oThers.

In Their 15-page motion, The complaints, 13 of Them, requested The prosecutors to consider Their request to implead Drs. Raymundo Lo and Sonia Gonzales in The charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and violation of The anti-torture law.

The respondents earlier identified in The complaints included Dr. Garin, former and current Department of Health Officials, officers of The Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur and its local distributor, Zuellig Pharma.

The Public Attorney’s Office assisted The complainants said Lo, formerly Philippine Children’s Medical Center deputy executive director and Gonzales are among those who “facilitated The purchase of Dengvaxia vaccine even before The Food and Drug Administration issued The required Certificate of Product Registration.

The assumed Gonzales, in Lo’s behalf, signed a purchase request for The vaccine on January 21, 2016.

Reporters sought Dr. Lo for comments. However, he said he would still consult his lawyers.

According to GMA News, The Department of Justice earlier rejected former Health Secretary Garin’s request for Dr. Lo’s testimony to be considered “expert opinion” and said she will help The investigators to “ferret out The truth and dispel misleading medical ‘conclusions’ that have polluted The case.”

The prosecutors said Dr. Lo’s affidavit was submitted late, and noted that a full-blown trial, not a preliminary investigation, is The proper venue for an exhausted displace of evidence.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)