Garbage compactor kills teen scavenger

MANILA, Philippines - A 14-year-old boy died in a freak accident when a garbage compactor pinned and crushed his body while collecting recyclables on a garbage truck at a dumpsite in North Harbor, Manila yesterday morning.

Robin Bayaborda, an out-of-school youth, was declared dead upon arrival at the Tondo General Hospital.

Senior Police Officer 2 Richard Lumbad said Bayaborda and an 11-year-old companion hitched a ride on an incoming garbage truck upon arriving at a dump in the Pileco Compound at Pier 18, North Harbor, Manila.

The 11-year-old boy told police it was their practice to climb first on every incoming garbage truck to get the choicest recyclables ahead of others.

While going through the garbage, Bayaborda failed to notice that the truck’s steel compactor had moved. Other scavengers shouted as they saw the compactor crush his body.

The truck driver, Florencio Monsanto, 51, immediately alighted and pressed the stop button at the rear of the truck. Monsanto believes one of the scavengers could have accidentally pressed the start button as they jostled to get the first crack at the garbage.

A representative of Leonel Waste Management, which owns the truck, offered financial assistance to the victim’s family.

Meanwhile, police filed charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against the truck driver.