Secretary Salvador Panelo has recently confirmed with reporters that his 27-year-old son has indeed passed away. He confirmed the death through a text message sent to reporters.

He died of heart complications

His son, Salvador Carlo Panelo III, who had been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, has sadly passed away due to heart complications.

Panelo shares, “Our beloved son Salvador Carlo Panelo III has joined our Maker. He was 27 years old. Please pray for the repose of his soul. Thank you so much for your prayers for my very special child.”

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar sent Malacañang’s condolences, stating: “The Palace extends its heartfelt condolences to Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on the death of his son Carlo. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Secretary Panelo at this difficult time.”

He’s still a dad

Before becoming the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, Panelo has handled a lot of high profile cases during his time as a trial lawyer.

He has also been embroiled in a number of controversies, such as acting as the defense lawyer for Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., who had been implicated in the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre, as well as the defense lawyer for the family of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

However, in spite of all these things, at the end of the day, Secretary Panelo is still a dad, and a family man whose family is very important to him.

We’re sure that underneath his tough facade, lies a father who has been devastated by his son’s untimely death.

Go to the next page to learn more about complications from Down Syndrome.

What complications can arise from Down Syndrome?

Aside from the common symptoms of Down Syndrome, there are also a number of complications that can arise from this condition. These include the following:

Heart defects. Around half of children diagnosed with Down Syndrome have been diagnosed with heart defects. In some cases, these can be life-threatening and require surgery.
Leukemia. Younger children who have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome actually have a higher risk of being diagnosed with leukemia, so it’s important to constantly monitor their health.
Dementia. At around 50 years old, people who have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome are at a very high risk for dementia, and those who have dementia are at higher risk of having seizures.
Sleep apnea. Because of the different facial structures caused by Down Syndrome, they have a higher chance of developing sleep apnea or breathing problems while they’re sleeping.
Obesity. People who are affected by Down Syndrome are more likely to be obese compared to the general population.
Various other problems. In addition to these complications, Down Syndrome has also been associated with a number of other conditions, including gastrointestinal blockage, thyroid problems, early menopause, seizures, ear infections, hearing loss, skin problems such as psoriasis, skeletal problems and poor vision.

Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net, mayoclinic.org

READ: Toddler Gets Featured After Being Rejected For Having Down Syndrome!

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