Bus driver charged for policeman’s death

A complaint for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide was filed against the driver accused of running over a traffic policeman in a highway in Mandaue City.

Despite his denial, police said they believed that the Kaoshiung bus that Bernalito Panginahug drove was the one that hit SPO1 Edison Gumpay in M. C. Briones Highway in barangay Guizo around 6 p.m. last Tuesday.

No one came forward to describe what happened, said police.

PO2 Dante Flores said they believed that Panginahug, 33, was lying when he said he was not the one who hit the policeman who drove a motorcycle during the accident.

Gumpay, who was declared dead at the Mandaue City Hospital, was found slumped on the ground at the back of the bus with plate number SCN-772.

Panginahug said he stopped when he heard a loud sound coming from the rear portion of the bus.

Panginahug said he saw in the side mirror a motorcycle crashing to the ground . The driver said he stopped and went to the back of the bus and found the policeman slumped on the ground.

Panginahug was supposed to transport school children from Mabolo Elementary School to barangay Budlaan when the accident occurred./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA