PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr. on Monday, June 13, 2022, floated the possibility that the owner of the sports utility vehicle (SUV) who ran over a security guard in Mandaluyong City is addicted to illegal drugs as he continuously rejects the calls of authorities for him to surface.
Danao said they have already identified the owner of the vehicle and urged him to surrender and prove his claim that he was not the one driving during the time of the incident.
“So the possibility is guilty ka. Bakit ayaw mong sumurrender, hindi ba? Unang-una, identified na nga ‘yung may-ari. Kung hindi man ikaw ang gumagamit ng sasakyan ng panahon na yan, e, dapat you have to defend yourself kasi ikaw ang may ari ng sasakyan, e. Natural causes of a decent man in his right senses will definitely surrender immediately,” he said in a press conference.
(So it is possible that you are guilty. Why won’t you surrender? The owner has already been identified. If you are not the one using the car at that time, you should defend yourself because you are the owner of the car. Natural causes of a decent man in his right senses will definitely surrender immediately.)
“But ito ang tanong, bakit hindi sumusurrender? Ikaw tsina-challenge kita, Mister San Vicente. Ayaw mo sumurrender, isa lang ang sasabihin ko sa iyo, bakit addict ka?” he added.
(Why not surrender? This is my challenge to you, Mister San Vicente. You don’t want to surrender, I have one thing to say, are you an addict?)
On June 5, security guard Christian Joseph Floralde was directing traffic at the corner of Julia Vargas Avenue and St. Francis Street in Mandaluyong City when he stopped the said SUV heading toward SM Megamall.
Refusing to stop, the SUV hit Floralde who dropped on the ground.
Instead of helping, the SUV ran over him and fled.
The owner of the vehicle identified by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as Jose Antonio San Vicente snubbed two summons last week where he was asked to explain.
The owner is now facing possible suspension or revocation of his driver’s license.
The Mandaluyong police has already filed frustrated murder charges against the owner of the vehicle.
Danao said based on information from the LTO, San Vicente has previously been charged for reckless imprudence.
“Hindi ko lang alam ‘yung nature nung case nung una pero as what I have heard, he was already filed before of the same case so recidivist ito. So are we going to wait na kayo ang babanggain ng taong ito? So paulit ulit kong sinabi, I am giving you a fair warning to surrender,” he said.
(I just don’t know the nature of the first case, but as what I have heard, he was already filed before of the same case so it is a recidivist. So are we going to wait for another person to get hit by this guy? I am giving you a fair warning to surrender.)
“Now ayaw mo magpakita, napakasimpleng problema naman sana na kaya pa natin ayusin, ayaw mo magpakita so you wait for your warrant of arrest to come out. Hintayin mo ‘yung warrant of arrest, San Vicente yung apelyido mo hindi ba? Huwag ka lang sana maging Santo Vicente,” he added.
(Now you don't want to show up, it's a very simple problem that we can fix. Just wait for your warrant of arrest to come out. San Vicente is your last name, isn't it? I hope you don’t become a “Saint Vicente.”)
Danao ensured that the owner will be treated like any other law violators despite reports that he has “connections” with ranking government officials that he allegedly used to evade arrest. (SunStar Philippines)