By RUBY P. SILUBRICO and FREDA MAE SORSANO
ILOILO City — An unsuspecting 49-year-old traffic auxiliary died after he was hit by a truck on Iznart Street at the City Proper here.
Miguel de Asis of Barangay Caingin, La Paz district, succumbed to fatal head injuries in what was described as a freak accident early Thursday evening.
The delivery truck of CPT Mart accidentally rammed the center-island railings at about 7:40 p.m., said Chief Inspector Rhea Santos, head of the Iloilo City Police Office Traffic Section.
It consequently hit de Asis, who was managing traffic at the time, dragging him toward the other side of the road about 10 meters away, Santos said.
De Asis was rushed to the St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo, but the attending physician, Dr. Jake Alojipan, declared him dead on arrival.
The truck driver, 19-year-old Gilbert Segunla of Barangay Igkuris, Igbaras, Iloilo, was arrested and detained in Police Station 1.
He is facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide.
Either the victim’s family or the Transport Management and Traffic Regulation Office (TMTRO) will file the charges, said Mitch Antiqueña of the TMTRO.
Segunla was actually a CPT Mart helper and not a driver, according to Chief Inspector Santos.
He was trying to park the truck (plate number: PXO 898) at their outlet when he suddenly lost control of the vehicle, Santos said.
According to Antiqueña, the CPT Mart may also be held liable.
De Asis, a former village councilman in Barangay Caingin, had been working as a traffic auxiliary for almost eight years now, Antiqueña said.
“[De Asis] was a good man and employee,” said the TMTRO official. “He has been manning that area for a long time now. This is sad.”
The victim’s family sought financial assistance from the CPT Mart management and Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.
Mabilog has instructed City Administrator Norlito Bautista to extend all viable assistance to the traffic aide’s family.
“All kinds of assistance: funeral, hospital, and possible financial aid,” said the mayor.
Mabilog said he was saddened by the incident. “It was an accident — a freak accident — but accidents happen,” he said./PN
