(Author’s note: This update adds a police report on the accident and corrects the make and model of the vehicle.)
BAGUIO CITY – Three girls were injured after being hit by a Toyota Fortuner during the motorcade of Vice President Jejomar Binay here.
A witness, who requested anonymity, said the mishap happened around 5:30 p.m. at Shanum Street near a 7-Eleven store.
He said he shouted in shock when the girls were struck by the motorist allegedly trying to cut into Binay’s motorcade that was then giving away T-shirts.
A police report later said that the girls were crossing the street when they were hit by the Fortuner.
The victims were identified as Rogiel Laviaga, 19, from Dagupan City, and two minors, aged 17 and eight years old, who were from Tarlac and Dagupan City, respectively.
According to the spot report filed by the Baguio Police Office Traffic Unit, the vehicle with plate number INC 44 and driven by Ronnie Dumansi came from Kisad Road.
The driver is now under police custody.
The police also conducted an alcoholic breath test on the driver, whose driver’s license and OR/CR were confiscated.
The case is now pending for inquest proceedings.
The report was signed by Police Superintendent Leon Pandagos Talleo, chief of the Baguio City Police Office Traffic Unit.
In a video taken by the witness, one of the girls looked shock while the two younger girls were unconscious. A rolled-up Binay shirt was found at the scene the accident.
An ambulance rushed the victims to the Baguio General Hospital to undergo treatment of their injuries.
For his part, Binay’s spokesperson Rico Quicho lamented the “unfortunate” incident and said the Vice President’s camp has reached out to the families of the victims.
He said he would wait for the formal report from the investigator.
Quicho said the vehicle which hit the girls was not part of the UNA convoy.
“Tinutukan natin ito pagkat importante po sa atin ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa,” Quicho said.