CEBU, Philippines — A maternal instinct of protecting her child at whatever cost was manifested in a road accident at the South Road Properties yesterday.
Abegail Uy, 25, was on board a motorcycle driven by her common-law partner Joseph Balangegue, 22, and was holding on to her two-month-old child when a speeding vehicle hit them at around 5:41 a.m. yesterday.
The motorcycle swerved and Uy was reportedly thrown off the ground. Uy was later found embracing her two-month-old baby.
All the three of them were rushed to the hospital. However, Uy did not make it alive.
"Maternal instinct na guro niya nga iyahang i-safety ang iyahang anak. So, instead of iyahang safety, gipasagdaan na lang niya nga malagpot siya basta kay safe ang iya anak. Wala ra naunsa ang bata, naa ang bata og ang iya bana sa hospital," Talisay City Traffic Patrol Group (TPG) Head Dexter Basirgo said.
He added that a speeding Mazda Bongo (AEB 7979) driven by Ronald Banga hit the motorcycle.
Balangegue sustained several injuries to different parts of the body.
Basirgo said that Banga, who is now under custody of the TPG, admitted to have driven at high speed.
He was subjected to a liquor and drug test to find if there are traces of substances that may have affected his driving.
He said that Banga is a driver of a company supplying closed-circuit television cameras based in Hernan Cortes, Mandaue City.
Banga’s employers have committed to shoulder the medical and internment fees for the victims.
Banga, for his part, will face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injuries.
Meanwhile, a five-vehicle crash inside the SRP tunnel left Noynay Welbert Balili, 28, wounded last Wednesday.
Gary Panilagao, a resident of Tinaan Naga City, was driving a Mitsubishi Fuso, at around 5 p.m. when he reportedly lost control over his break while traversing the downhill portion of the SRP tunnel Exit in Barangay San Roque.
Senior Inspector Joemar Pomarejos, chief of the Waterfront Police Station, said Balili is temporarily detained for reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries and damage to properties. — GAN (FREEMAN)