5 hurt as PSG man's car hits van, jeepney

A drunk Presidential Security Group member who is detailed at the Malacañang sa Sugbu figured in a vehicular accident twice Tuesday night that injured five jeepney passengers.

Based on the investigation conducted by the traffic division of the Cebu City Police Office, an Isuzu Trooper Wagon driven by PSG member S/Sgt. Richard Josol, 33, was moving backward when it accidentally hit a Fuzu Fighter van driven by Raymond Tatoy around 8:20 p.m. at the corner of Magallanes and Lapu-Lapu Streets.

Unmindful of the incident, Josol continued to maneuver forward and upon reaching Lapu-Lapu Street, the Isuzu Trooper Wagon hit a jeepney driven by Reneboy Llenos, 39, a resident of barangay Apas.

As a result, the five passengers of jeepney sustained bruises in different parts of their bodies and were brought to the Cebu City Medical Center.

Traffic police said the Isuzu Trooper, bearing plate number RAA 878, continued to speed away after hitting the jeepney, but was intercepted by the Waterfront police at the junction of Gonzales and Legaspi Streets.

The police later found out that Josol had a companion, identified as Roque Rañola, 39, of Metro Manila. The vehicle is now under the custody of City Traffic Operation Management.

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting to physical injuries and damage to properties are now being prepared against Josol while a separate case for driving without license and driving while under the influence of liquor will also be filed against him.

Capt. Jason Saldua, who heads the PSG in Cebu, said Josol is now under camp restriction while an administrative investigation is being conducted. He added that Josol was not on duty when the incident happened.

But Saldua denied reports that he arranged for the release of Josol and Rañola after they were accosted by responding policemen.

The FREEMAN learned that the Isuzu Trooper was owned by Customs district collector Lourdes Mangaoang and was borrowed by the Office of the President through Presidential Assistant for Central Visayas Felix Guanzon for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's visit yesterday.

Guanzon admitted that they borrowed the vehicle from Mangaoang last Tuesday, adding that it has been a practice to request vehicles from different government agencies every time the President is here.

But Guanzon said they already returned the car at 5:00 p.m. that day. He added that the vehicle was no longer under his custody because he instructed the PSG to turn over it to Mangaoang.

Nevertheless, Guanzon said he already coordinated with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to assist the victims, and informed PSG chief Delfin Bangit about the incident. - Flor Z. Perolina and Fred P. Languido