MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen people — including 14 call center agents — were rushed to the hospital after the van they were riding in was hit by what appeared to be a speeding Mitsubishi Montero in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, on Thursday.
Chief Insp. Renato Jaime, head of the city’s traffic unit, said Friday that the call center agents from Valor Global Call Center Company were on their way to their office in Panorama Tower on 34th St. on board a Nissan Urvan, with plate number ASA-8023, when the accident took place at 3:15 a.m. on Dec. 10.
Jaime said that upon reaching 9th Ave. at the corner of 34th St., the Urvan was hit in the rear left portion by the Montero, with plate number NIT-497, driven by Romeo Pocholo Donayre.
Donayre was at that time plying 9th Ave. and his car was on its way to the nearby Avida Towers, Jaime said.
“Because of the impact, the Urvan ended up turning upside down so the call center agents and the (Urvan) driver ended up pinned (naipit) inside the vehicle,” Jaime added.
He said the injured—Urvan driver Lacson Mandigan and call center agents Arriane Joy Arroyo, Kassandra Castanares, Arlene Castillo, Mariz Castillo, Dan Joaquin Chua, Gliezel Comedia, Christine Dolo, Ronald Maturan, Ian Ortega, Bjorn Karlo Osorio, Billy Jay Siscar, Ma. Cristina Vitan, April Kingking and Geniviva Misolas—were rushed by a BGC ambulance that responded to the scene to nearby St. Luke’s Medical Center.
Jaime said none of them sustained serious injuries. “So there was no fracture whatsoever. Only minor injuries.”
Senior Supt. Felix Arthur Asis, the city’s chief of police, said initial investigation showed that Donayre was the one at fault.
Jaime said Donayre appeared to be speeding judging by what happened to the Urvan upon collision.
He said the police were still checking if Donayre was intoxicated at that time.
As of Thursday, Jaime said it was unclear if charges would be filed against Donayre.
“That will depend on whether or not the victims decide to settle,” he said. SFM
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