Runners injured in collision

Two Manila-based runners were hit by a vehicle driven by an election official during the Timex Run in Cebu City at past 6:45 p.m yesterday.

The victims identified as 32-year-old Sandra Raulo Gonzales and her 42-year-old husband Peter suffered multiple injuries and were rushed to the Chong Hua Hospital. Both are residents of Pasig City in Metro Manila.

The suspect was identified as 40-year-old lawyer Ferdinand Gujilde, a former election officer of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities now detailed at the Cebu provincial office of the Commission on Election (Comelec).

He was held at the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) pending the filing of charges.

Gujilde declined to comment fearing that it might jeopardize the ongoing negotiation between his lawyer and the legal counsel of the victims.

Based on a report submitted at the Citom office, Guijilde drove his Kia Rio Sedan bearing plate number YKP 549 and was headed south to his house in Barangay Pakigne, Minglanilla town, Cebu when the incident occurred.

On reaching N. Bacalso Avenue in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, Guijilde reportedly fell asleep and hit the couple who joined the 16-km category of the Timex Run.

Citom assistant executive director Joy Tumulak said based on the traffic investigator’s report, Guijilde’s car suddenly swerved to the right lane where the runners were and hit the couple.

Tumulak said the runners were ordered to always run at the right side of the road while Citom enforcers were deployed at the different intersection.

Gujilde didn’t stop but continued driving his vehicle until he was flagged down by a traffic enforcer who saw the hit and run, Tumulak said.

Gujilde underwent a liquor test at the Cebu City Medical Center and was found positive of alcohol use.

Mandaue City Election officer Anne Fleur Gujilde, wife of the beleaguered poll official, said her husband played tennis in Mandaue City with some friends last Saturday night.

She said she didn’t know if they had a drinking session after the game.

But she said her husband was not a reckless driver and was even known as a slow driver.

The Timex Run that was organized by Timex Watches, took off from the Cebu Normal University along Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City and would end at the Cebu City Sports Complex.  It had three categories – 16 km, 10 km and 5 km.

Citom telephone operator Jimelon Jimeno said they disseminated information to local media about the route of the Timex Run.

But he admitted that they haven’t totally closed the roads during the event. /Jhunnex Napallacan, Correspondent