Police car seen during fatal hit-and-run

MANILA, Philippines — A police patrol car was present when a pickup truck owned by a Quezon City Police District (QCPD) official figured in a hit-and-run accident that killed a tricycle driver on Aug. 6.

Surveillance camera footage obtained by The STAR showed the pickup truck of Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong, chief of the QCPD criminal investigation and detection unit, running behind a patrol car along Anonas street in Barangay Quirino 2-A moments before the truck hit the tricycle driven by Joel Laroa.

In another video, two people, including a policeman, could be seen standing near the pickup truck after it hit Laroa’s tricycle.

Laroa died in a hospital from the injuries he sustained during the accident. His wife, Rozelle Morales, was injured.

The patrol car was parked on the left side of the pickup truck.

It is unclear why the police officer who was present was not able to take into custody the alleged driver of the vehicle, Ronald Centino.

Abong earlier claimed Centino, allegedly from Barangay Old Capitol Site, was the one driving the vehicle – without his consent – at the time of the accident.

Laroa’s family on Thursday filed a complaint against Abong and Centino for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injury and damage to property before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.