Fake doctor: Filipino boy, 10, dies after botched circumcision, warning against 'pukpok'

Manila: A 10-year-old boy tragically died following a botched circumcision procedure allegedly performed by a fake doctor in Tondo, Manila, prompting urgent warnings from medical authorities and an ongoing investigation by national law enforcement agencies.

The child, identified by local media as the son of Marjorie San Agustin, was brought to a "lying-in" clinic on Saturday, May 17, at around 2 pm.

According to San Agustin, her son was administered 20cc of anesthesia before the procedure.

During the circumcision, which was carried out by a woman claiming to be a doctor, the boy began to convulse and later died.

Circumcision in the Philippines — locally known as “tuli” — is a deeply rooted cultural and social practice, with layers of historical, religious, and traditional significance.

The Philippine Society of General Surgeons (PSGS) urged parents and guardians to ensure that only licensed medical doctors perform circumcisions.

PSGS Vice President Dr. Alfred Lasala II emphasised that while circumcision is a common practice in the Philippines, it must only be performed by trained and licensed professionals.

“You should be circumcised only by a doctor,” Lasala said. “Even non-surgeon doctors may perform the procedure if they’ve been properly trained. But this case involved someone who was neither trained nor licensed.”

It's not immediate clear why her "practice" has been tolerated. Barangay (villlage) officials confirmed that the woman who conducted the circumcision was not a registered physician.

She had reportedly used the name and license number of a legitimate doctor with whom she had worked over two decades ago.

Records show that she had previously been arrested by the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP–CIDG) in 2023 for the same offence, but was released on bail.

Dr. Lasala also criticised unsanctioned circumcision practices such as community medical missions where midwives or nurses — who are not authorised to perform surgeries — are tasked with the procedure.

"This is against the law because circumcision is the practice of medicine. Only doctors have the knowledge and training to safely perform it," he said.

He also warned about the traditional Filipino method known as “pukpok,” which often uses no anesthesia or proper sterilisation.

“This method can cause intense pain, infections, and prolonged bleeding due to lack of suturing,” he added.

According to Lasala, scientific literature recommends circumcision be done between the ages of 9 and 10, when a child’s anatomy is sufficiently developed and they are better psychologically prepared for the procedure.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has launched a full probe into the incident.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said that an autopsy would be prioritised to determine the exact cause of death. “We need to determine the cause of death. We’ll issue a subpoena to the person involved to explain the procedure performed,” he said.

This tragic case highlights the need for strict enforcement of medical regulations and public awareness about the dangers of unlicensed practitioners.