LTO: Dead truck driver shared name with son, muddling issue

SINCE he died along with 10 others, the driver of the trailer truck that hit a mini-bus in Barangay Uling, City of Naga cannot be made to face criminal charges.

This was pointed out by the Naga Police Station as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 clarified that truck driver Antonieco Omagay was authorized to drive trucks, contrary to earlier reports.

SPO2 Saul Alejandria of the Naga Police Station said that while a criminal charge cannot be filed against the dead driver, the victims can pursue a case for civil liability against the owner of the truck.

Aileen Firmeza, whose son Lyle was among those killed, said she is willing to file a case against WT Construction Inc.

Alejandria said the police need more victims to make a strong case.

LTO 7 Director Raul Aguilos said in a separate interview that there are two Antonieco Omagays, a father and his son, in the LTO database.

This was the cause of confusion earlier as the younger Antonieco’s driver’s license does not allow him to drive trucks.

Victims’ families

The older Antonieco, on the other hand, was licensed to drive and operate heavy vehicles. He was the one who was driving the trailer truck that figured in the road mishap last Wednesday.

Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, third district) said he will give cash assistance of P20,000 each to the families of the victims.

Those injured will get P10,000 each.

Garcia said the amount will be taken from his Priority Development Assistance Fund deposited at the Capitol.

For the sake of the victims and their families, Garcia said he is asking that politics at the Capitol not be allowed to stop the distribution of the aid.

"I hope Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale will not do anything to prevent or hamper the release of my funds," he said in a statement.

Almost all of the victims are from the third district of Cebu Province.

As of 3:30 p.m. yesterday, 28 have been discharged from Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, 11 have been admitted and 10 are under observation. (PR)