Separate accidents kill two children

CEBU, Philippines - Two boys, including a one-year-old, died in two separate road accidents in Cebu City and Argao town. 

John Mark Ginoo, 1-year-old, was run over by a Sports Utility Vehicle in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, Cebu City.

Senior Police Officer 2 Remel Echavez, investigator of the Traffic Patrol Group of the Cebu City Police Office, told The FREEMAN that he was able to speak to the mother of the child, Becky Ginoo, 36, who told him that she asked her other child, a 6-year-old, to assist John Mark in crossing the street.

"While I made my interviews, some said that Becky was sitting in a corner having a drinking spree, but when I approached her and talked to her, she was neither drunk nor tipsy," he said.

However, John Mark suddenly crossed the street and was run over by an SUV driven by Melquiades Obtina, 51, a resident of Guadalupe, Cebu City.   Obtina was reportedly driving in a slow speed when he heard a bang.

The victim was brought to Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, a 9-year-old was killed after he was hit by an L300 van when he suddenly crossed the national highway of Bulasa, Argao town past 2 p.m. Saturday.  Jelroyo Datanagan was pronounced dead two hours after he was rushed to the Isidro C Kintanar Memorial Hospital in Argao town.

He was hit by an L300 van driven by Alvin Armenion of Tabunok, Talisay City.   In a telephone interview, Police Office 3 Benjamin Gerosaga, desk officer of Argao Police, said the van was heading to Cebu City while the child was walking along the road.

When the van was travelling along Barangay Bulasa, the driver did not notice that Datanagan was crossing the road.

The driver reportedly tried to avoid the child, who was already in the middle of the road. However, Armenion hit Datanagan, who was then thrown away.  (FREEMAN)