Makati City vows justice for victims in fatal jeepney accident

MANILA, Philippines — Makati City Mayor Abby Binay on Thursday expressed grief over the death of a 14-year-old killed in a traffic accident and assured that justice will be served.

Jules Villapando was the lone fatality of the accident while seven of his schoolmates were injured after they were hit by a jeepney as they were crossing J.P. Rizal Avenue in Barangay Poblacion in Makati Wednesday night.

READ: 14-year-old student dies, 7 others hurt as jeepney hits them in Makati

Police identified the jeepney driver as Crizalde Tamparong.

“Labis akong nalulungkot sa nakagigimbal na trahedyang naganap sa Barangay Poblacion kagabi na ikinasawi ng isang 14-taong gulang na mag-aaral ng Pio del Pilar National High School, at nagdulot ng malubhang pinsala sa pito pa niyang mga kamag-aral na kasama niyang pauwi sa kani-kanilang tahanan,” Binay said in a statement.

(I am saddened by the tragedy that happened in Barangay Poblacion last night that resulted in the death of a 14-year-old student from Pio del Pilar National High School and injured seven of his schoolmates.)

Binay said she already ordered the police to identify the jeepney’s operator and recommend the suspension of its franchise by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“Kasalukuyang nagsasagawa ng masusing imbestigasyon ang Makati police sa insidente, at inatasan ko silang kaagad isailalim sa drug test ang driver ng jeepney na nasa kanilang kustodiya. Iniutos ko ring hanapin nila ang operator ng jeepney at irekomenda sa LTFRB ang agarang suspensyon ng prangkisa nito,” Binay said.

(Makati police are currently investigating the incident and I ordered them to immediately subject the jeepney driver to a drug test. I also ordered to find the jeepney operator and recommend to the LTFRB the immediate suspension of its franchise.)

“Tinitiyak ko sa mga biktima at sa kanilang pamilya na gagawin ng inyong pamahalaang lungsod ang lahat upang mabigyan ng hustisya ang kanilang sinapit,” she further said.

(I assure the victims and their families that the local government unit will do everything to serve justice.)