2 runners in Cebu hit by car driven by former poll official

CEBU CITY—Two Manila-based runners were hit by a vehicle driven by an election official during Timex Run in Cebu City Sunday.

Sandra Araullo Gonzales, 32, a former national triathlon women’s champion, and her husband, Peter, 42, both residents of Pasig City in Metro Manila, suffered multiple injuries and were brought to a private hospital here.

The suspect was identified as lawyer Ferdinand Gujilde, 40, a former election officer of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities who is now detailed at the Cebu Provincial Office of the Commission on Elections.

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 ongoing negotiation between his lawyer and the legal counsel of the victims.

Based on an incident report submitted at the Citom office, Guijilde was driving his Kia Rio Sedan (plate number YKP 549) about 6:45 a.m. Sunday and was heading south, presumably to his house in Barangay Pakigne, Minglanilla town, Cebu.

Upon reaching N. Bacalso Avenue in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, Guijilde reportedly fell asleep and hit the couple who were participating in the 16-kilometer category of Timex Run.

Joy Tumulak, Citom assistant executive director, said that based on the report of the traffic investigator, Guijilde’s car suddenly swerved to the right lane being used by the runners.

Gujilde continued driving his vehicle until he was flagged down by a traffic enforcer, Tumulak said.

Gujilde was found positive for alcohol intake at Cebu City Medical Center, Citom reported.

Mandaue election officer Anne Fleur Gujilde, wife of the poll official, said her husband was playing tennis with friends in Mandaue on Saturday night.

She said she didn’t know if they had a drinking session after the game. But she stressed that her husband was not a reckless driver.

The Timex Run, which was organized by Timex Watches, took off from Cebu Normal University along Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City and ended at Cebu City Sports Complex.