Motorist, guard settle hit-and-run case

MANILA, Philippines — The charges against the driver of a sport utility vehicle who was caught on video hitting and running over a security guard in Mandaluyong City last year were dismissed after the victim opted for a settlement.

A Mandaluyong court dismissed the charges of frustrated murder against Jose Antonio Sanvicente after security guard and hit-and-run victim Christian Joseph Floralde agreed to settle, a court insider said.

In September 2022, Sanvicente pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned before Judge Aileen Saquing-Agacita of the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 213.

Sought for comment, Floralde’s counsel, Federico Biolena, confirmed the case’s dismissal.

Biolena declined to give details about the settlement between his client and Sanvicente, which he said is confidential.

“Nonetheless, we believe the parties arrived at a reasonable conclusion without any pressure or compulsion from anyone,” Biolena said in a text message.

Biolena did not reply when asked if Floralde continues to feel the effects of the injuries he sustained during the incident.

Sanvicente hit Floralde with his Toyota RAV 4 while the security guard was manning traffic at an intersection in front of a mall in Barangay Wack-Wack on June 5.

A dashcam video from another motorist showed that Sanvicente’s vehicle ran over Floralde, who was lying on the ground, a scene that angered the public.

After a police manhunt was ordered to catch him, Sanvicente surrendered to then Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. at Camp Crame in Quezon City.