SRP accident claims 6th ‘victim’

CEBU, Philippines - The collision between a trailer truck and a car at the South Road Properties Sunday dawn that resulted to the death of five persons has claimed another life.

Truck driver Danilo Cojo told The FREEMAN last night his mother Gaudencia, 78, of Tagum City, Davao del Norte, died last Monday allegedly after learning that an accident he was involved in killed five persons.

“Mura’g sa kaguol gyud siguro to sa panghitabo maong naingon ato,” he said.

He said that while his mother was already suffering from hypertension and chest pain, hearing what happened to him likely was what killed her.

Danilo said his sister, Arlene Sotto, was the one who informed him about their mother’s death Monday.

He has no information yet as to when his mother’s burial will be, but he said he really wants to attend, if given a chance.

He, however, is currently detained at the Parian Police Station.  

PO2 Irene Romaniz of the Cebu City Police Office Traffic Division said they brought Danilo to the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office yesterday for the formal filing of a reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide complaint against him.

SPO2 Marcelino Sanchez of Parian Police Station, though, said Danilo was brought back to their station because the filing of the complaint was not finished yesterday.

Danilo, though, said he was hopeful he would be set free.

“Wa man ko mahadlok. Kumpyansa man ko nga makagawas ra gyud ko,” he said, adding that the families of the victims were willing to enter into a settlement.

He said the families followed them at the prosecutor’s office and told him that they were willing to settle the case provided that the company that Danilo worked for will give a total of P150,000 for the victims’ funeral expenses.

He said the manager of SGE Trucking is meeting the families at the fiscal’s office today to formalize the settlement.

At 3:44 a.m. last Sunday, Danilo was on his way 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)