Driver of car that hit cop charged

CEBU, Philippines - The driver of the car who hit and killed a retired police officer surrendered to authorities two days after the accident in Barangay Sambag 1 last Wednesday.

Allen Balaba surrendered to Sr. Insp. Ryan Devaras, chief of Mambaling Police Station, the nearest police station to the house where he hid himself after the accident that killed SPO4 Bu Combis.

Traffic Investigator PO2 Edgardo Becoy said cases for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and hit and run have been filed against the suspect.

Balaba immediately posted a bail of P12,000 to avoid detention.

Combis, who retired from service just last January 29, was jogging along Alcantara Street around 6am when the Nissan Sentra driven by Balaba came in a zigzag motion and hit him. The impact was strong that Combis was thrown to the car’s windshield.

Investigation showed Balaba was driving speedily at that time.

However, instead of stopping to assist the victim who then fell off to the pavement, Balaba sped off. The car was later found abandoned in La Paloma Village, Barangay Tisa, near the house of its owner, the suspect’s employer.

Combis died an hour after doctors at Chong Hua Hospital tried to revive him.

Prior to his retirement, Combis was desk officer at the Mabolo Police Station. — (FREEMAN)