TWO children died while one was injured after they got run over by a trailer truck in Sitio Silangan 2, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City Wednesday morning, May 1.
Baby Angel Lagana, 5, and Maryjoy Borromeo, 10, died on the spot after an 18-wheeler truck ran them over at around 9 a.m.
According to their neighbor Nilo Pilar, 50, the members of the responding medical team tried to revive the three, but only Rosemarie Vasquez, 12, survived.
“Pag-abot sa ambulansya, gi-try og pump, but wala naman madala kay nabungkag na ang sa iyang ubos (The paramedics could not do much because the injuries to their lower extremities were too severe),” he said.
Vasquez is recovering at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).
One of her playmates said that before the incident happened, the three were just playing in the rain, particularly near a gutter on Arellano Extension, where the truck was parked. Another playmate said that the three were last seen playing underneath the truck.
Nenita Caballes, Borromeo’s mother, was not at home when it happened. “They were just playing there when I left to buy groceries. A neighbor just informed me that my daughter was in an accident,” she said.
Police Master Sergeant Edgar Baton, one of the responding officers of Police Station 3, said truck driver Joan Mejares claimed he was not aware of the presence of the three when he turned on the truck’s engine.
According to Baton’s initial interview with Mejares, the latter was waiting for his helper to give him the signal to go. When he moved the truck, another driver informed him that he had hit the children.
Mejares, who hails from Carmen, Cebu, was also brought to the CCMC after neighbors of the victims ganged up on him and beat him up.
“The neighbors took turns hitting him and throwing rocks inside the truck. I told them to stop because it would not bring the kids back,” Pilar said.
Baton said that Mejares can be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injury.