13-year-old tries to stop road accident, killed

CEBU, Philippines- A 13-year-old boy died after he tried to help stop a multicab which lost its brakes while traversing a sloppy road past 4 p.m. on Sunday in Barangay Sua Argao town.

John Paul Biano was declared dead on arrival at the Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital in Argao town after suffering from severe injuries.

PO3 Nilo Branzuela, investigator of Argao Police Station, said that Biano and his relatives just came from Sunday mass and were headed home.

While maneuvering the multicab and ascending the sloppy road, Felix Etagonde, 34, the driver and Biano’s uncle, lost control of the vehicle after the multicab’s brakes allegedly malfunctioned.

Biano was riding at the back when he sensed that something was wrong with the multicab. He quickly jumped to find a stone to block the rear wheel to stop the multicab.

However, the multicab moved towards him and hit him, pinning him down and killing him instantly.

Some of the six other passengers suffered slight injuries, said the police.

Biano’s relatives rushed the victim to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.

The driver turned himself over to the police station after the accident.

PO3 Glen Besadi, desk officer of Argao Police Station, said that yesterday morning, the family of Biano went to the police station and informed them that they will not file charges against Etagonde, who assured that he will shoulder the expenses of his nephew’s burial.

“Diri to ang ginikanan sa bata ug mga kaliwat, gibuhian na namo ang uyoan kay wala na may kaso ipasaka nagkasinabot na man sila nga ang uyoan ang mo-abaga sa gastoan sa paglubong sa Bata. Nagdunganay ra to sila’g lakaw pauli,” Besadi said. (FREEMAN)