Lawyer denies hitting, killing man on bike

CEBU - The lawyer who was accused of hitting and killing a man in a traffic accident cried foul over news reports that made it appear as if she knew she hit somebody and yet did not stop and even tried to escape.

The traffic incident allegedly involving Arlinda Famulaga, 72, reportedly happened in barangay Guizo, Mandaue City, last Wednesday evening, where Castro Estiola was hit and killed on the spot.

Famulaga who called The FREEMAN to air her side denied the reports that she referred to as “inaccurate.”

According to Famulaga, she was on her way home from Ayala Center in Cebu City in her Honda CRV and made it past Guizo past 9 p.m. and arrived home in barangay Ibabao-Estancia without trouble.

Their family was surprised when half an hour after she had arrived, policemen and several people came looking for her and accused her of hitting and killing a man on a motorcycle in Guizo then driving off.

Because of the vague circumstances of the accusation against Famulaga, her children did not permit other people to enter their home at that time and just allowed the policemen to clear things out.

She insisted she did not hit anybody on her way home as she was driving at normal speed and she did not hear anything.

“Ako as a responsible lawyer ug naa nasad koy mga grandchildren di ko mag-ingon ana... I have nothing to hide nga mo-flight ko nga wala man koy nabantayang nabanggaan,” she said.

If ever she hit someone, she said those who witnessed it should have gone after her immediately and told her what happened.

According to the police, at least three motorists saw the accident happen and just followed the CRV to the lawyer’s house along S.B. Cabahug St. in Ibabao-Estancia in Mandaue City before going to the police to report the accident.

Traffic investigators reportedly found on the CRV a scratch and what they believe to be bloodstains, but they are not yet certain what it is pending laboratory examination.

According to Famulaga’s son-in law, who was the one who called The FREEMAN yesterday to air their side, they did not notice anything unusual with their mo-ther-in-law when she arrived.

He also said the scratch on the car was old and the alleged “bloodstain” is just yellow lane paint that usually sticks under passing vehicles.

He explained that if his mother-in law indeed hit somebody with the CRV there would have been noticeable damage on the vehicle.

While she admitted to nothing Famulaga still agreed to pay the deceased using the comprehensive insurance of her vehicle.

She was also allowed to post bail of P30,000 for her release after being invited by the police and allowed to bring her car back home.

She did not allow her car to be washed in case there are other clarifications needed. — Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP (THE FREEMAN)