CEBU, Philippines - Prosecutors have dismissed the complaint filed against the driver of the trailer truck that figured in a head-on collision with a car at the South Road Properties, which ended the lives of five people last Sunday dawn.
The complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides was dismissed after the families of the victims and SGE Trucking, the company of driver Danilo Cojo, reached a settlement.
The manager of SGE Trucking met with the families at the fiscal’s office yesterday to formalize the settlement of P150,000 for the victims’ funeral expenses.
Cebu City assistant prosecutor Maria Theresa Cariño ordered Cojo’s release at around 3 p.m. yesterday.
Right after he was released, Cojo immediately went home to Naga City, Cebu to get some personal things for his departure to his hometown in Tagum City, Davao del Norte to attend his mother’s wake and burial.
Cojo’s mother, Gaudencia Cojo, 78, died last Monday after she learned about her son’s situation. Cojo said his mother has been suffering from hypertension and chest pains and learning about what happened to him saddened her most.
At 3:44 a.m. last Sunday, Danilo was driving to Pier 3 in Cebu City when a Hyundai car in the opposite lane suddenly swerved towards his lane and collided with the prime mover he was driving.
Victims Oscar Oneo, 45; Rosette Capala, 45; Alma Basalo and Gwendolyn Basalo, all of Cansujong Talisay City, died on the spot.
Responding Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation personnel had to use special tools so they could extricate car driver and owner Rustico Bas, 48, of Poblacion, Talisay City and bring him to the hospital, where he died hours later.
Bas’ wake is at the St. Peter Funeral Homes in New Imus Road, Cebu City while that of the other four victims is at their respective residences. — (FREEMAN)