Street sweeper sued for homicide over boy’s scaffolding death

MANILA — A street sweeper doing voluntary work in Manila was slapped with a homicide charge for installing a scaffolding that collapsed and killed a five-year-old boy.

Police Officer 3 Al Layugan of Manila Police District’s homicide division identified the suspect as Alfredo Hayag.

In an interview, Layugan said a case of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide was filed in the city prosecutor office on Monday night.

The boy, Amir Hassan Batua-An, died on Sunday night after the scaffolding on Estero Cegada Street, just in front the Barangay Hall of Barangay 307, collapsed as he and his friends were climbing it.

Layugan said the metal crushed Batua-An’s head that led to his death. His family rushed him to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center but was too late. The boy’s father Amir Hassan Batua-An was incensed and took Hayag to the police headquarters.

Hayag, for his part, said he installed the scaffolding last week to cover an open manhole to prevent people from falling in it.

The children, however, played with the scaffolding, making it collapse.  SFM