Raps filed vs drivers in Argao accident

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the refusal of the families of the victims in filing criminal charges against the driver of the dump truck that figured in a vehicular accident in Barangay Talaga, Argao, the police pursued the case yesterday.

PO3 Bernie Lao, traffic investigator, said they filed reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries against Mandy Estares, 38, of Barangay Soton, Naga City.

State prosecutor Petronio Elesterio recommended the filing of case against Estares after he waived his right to undergo the preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against him.

Estares, driver of Mitsubishi Fuso dump truck with license plate numbers KED 200 was assisted by his legal counsel, Atty. Winsor Calamba during inquest proceeding.

Calamba told The FREEMAN that once the case will be filed before the court they will put up a bail for respondent's temporary liberty.

Elesterio recommended P30,000 bail for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide in relation to Republic Act 7610 or child abuse.

The police failed to secure the death certificates of other victims; Guillerma Belandres, 25 of Barangay Banjigan, Dalaguete town and Rosalinda Laurente, 42, of barangay Calumpang.

Police also filed the same case against Jose Ramil Entice, 36, of Barangay Banjigan, Dalaguete and driver of the Isuzu van.

Lao told The FREEMAN that the filing of complaint against the driver of an Isuzu van with license plate numbers TQC 306 was filed under the regular filing. Ramil was traveling from Oslob town bound for Cebu City.

"Because of his condition and because he was admitted in one of the hospitals in the city, the complaint against him is filed under preliminary investigation," he added.

Lao furthered said that though the families of the victims failed to go to their station to report the incident, they filed the complaint instead, after they were able to secure a death certificate of Diether Caracol, 10, a resident of Barangay Calumpang, Oslob, Cebu.

"Ang korte nay bahala kung i-dismiss nila ang kang kinsang kaso basta kami amo ning i-file tanan," Lao said in a phone interview.

Lorna Miñao, 46, of Barangay Poblacion, Dalaguete and one of those injured, said that Norphil Foundation Inc. has given them financial assistance. Miñao suffered injuries in her eyebrow and was advised to go home after being treated.

Also advised to go home due to minor injuries was Lorna's son, Ryan, 12, who suffered injuries in the head and right leg.

"Pagkabangga gigakos nako akong anak, unya sa kakusog sa impact napasok na siya (Ryan) sa ilawom sa lingkuranan sa van," Lorna said.

Maria Corazon Mendez, sister of Arieta Caracol, 41, also refused to file charges against the drivers as Norphil has good intention to them, adding they would not complicate the issue.

Four of Mendez's family was involved in the accident including the fatality, Diether Caracol, 10.

"Wala mi nagasto ani nila apil na si Alison, 3, ug si Luis, 6," she said.

A representative from the Norphil arrived at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center  and took charge of their medical expenses, including their food allowance.

In another development, the Integrated Provincial Health Office yesterday confirmed that the ten victims of the vehicular accidents in Argao being treated at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center are no longer deteriorating and already in stable conditions.

"We sent medical personnel to facilitate their admission. Yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, we made a follow-up, wa naman na-deteriorate ang status sa pasyente," IPHO chief Cynthia Genesolango said.

The admitted victims include the Jose Ramil Entice, driver of the Isuzu van, who incurred multiple fractures in his upper and lower part of the body.

Also injured in the accident are children with disabilities, who were supposed to be brought to the Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu for a check-up sponsored by the Norphil Foundation Inc., a community-based nongovernment organization.

Genesolango added that personnel from Norphil are weighing their options for the possible transfer of the children to the private hospitals.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development head Evelyn Senajon said that the province would automatically extend P5,000 cash as burial assistance.

"Mohatag ta’g assistance sa mga naangol pod. Maghuwat ta sa mga modangat diri sa atoa for assistance (hospitalization)," she added. —  Ria Mae Y. Booc, Mylen P. Manto, Michael H. Braga/JMD (FREEMAN)