MANILA - The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to begin its preliminary investigation into criminal charges over deaths being linked to the controversial Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine.

The hearings are set on May 15 and 24, 10 a.m., at the DOJ main office in Manila.

Subpoenas were issued by the panel of prosecutors tasked to handle the probe into five consolidated complaints filed by Ramil R. Pestilos and Liza M. Maquilan; Ian L. Colite; Almer Bautista; Elena L. Baldonado; and Ariel A. Hedia, parents of alleged Dengvaxia victims. Complainants are assisted by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) in these cases.

The criminal complaints are for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and violations of the Anti-Torture Law (Republic Act No. 9745) against former Health Secretary Janette Garin; current Health Secretary Francisco Duque; executives of vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., and other officials of the Department of Health.

DOJ sets May 15 and 24 preliminary probe hearings into consolidated Dengvaxia complaints pic.twitter.com/35zN1KgOeG

— Ina Reformina (@InaReformina) May 8, 2018

The complaints said the PAO Forensic Team, led by Dr. Erwin Erfe, noted a "common pattern" in the signs and symptoms of the death of the four children, along with several others, as of 21 February 2018 following vaccination:

- The children had no history of dengue infection.
- The children received 1, 2, or 3 doses of Dengvaxia vaccine
- The children became sick after vaccination (fever, rash, epistaxis, headache, stomach ache, body weakness, slurring of speech, etc)
- The child died as early as 11 days and up to 8 months after vaccination of the last dose of Dengvaxia.
- Forensic examination of the body showed enlargement of organs and extensive bleeding in various organs.

“Sanofi itself admitted the following risks associated with Dengvaxia: allergic/ anaphylactic reaction, viscerotropism and neurotropism, increase in severity of dengue disease from the start of vaccination and waning protection against dengue disease over time.

“The danger of administering Dengvaxia to seronegatives (those who have no previous history of dengue) was already of critical concern, and was not unknown to Sanofi, even during the development stage of Dengvaxia,” the complaints stated.

Based on these admissions and declarations of respondent Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., if Dengvaxia is administered to one who has not yet contracted dengue, “that person will have a greater risk of developing severe disease, which would have been otherwise had Dengvaxia not been administered upon him,” the complaints further pointed out.

The complaints also argued that the clinical trial of Dengvaxia has not yet been completed and “still in progress.”

The panel of prosecutors that will conduct the preliminary probe is composed of Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Ma. Emilia Victorio, Assistant State Prosecutor Christine T. Perolino, and Assistant State Prosecutor Susan.