Hitchhiking boy dies after falling off van

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

A nine-year old boy died after he presumably fell from a running vehicle in Alimodian, Iloilo morning of Dec 23, 2021.

Justine James Amalio, 9, a resident of Barangay Binalud, Alimodian, was later found slumped in the middle of the road without his upper garment on.

He was taken to Aleosan District Hospital but was pronounced dead around 9:48 a.m.

According to reports, he was last seen alive while taking a ride on a van’s stirrup.

Master Sergeant Michael Alingalan, Alimodian police station, said it was presumed that the victim tried to hitch a ride on the van, as it was running on slow speed along Barangay Binalud.

He might have failed to get a good grip and later fell off the vehicle.

The van driver apparently wasn’t aware that someone boarded his vehicle.

Even after the child tumbled down, the driver appeared to be oblivious and continued driving.

Alingalan said witnesses earlier informed them that it was a wing van only to confirm later that it was a closed van.

They traced the vehicle through its signage “SG Poultry Supply,” a company also based in Alimodian town.

Alingalan said they talked to the owner, who confirmed that the vehicle was driven by Marvin Dacles, 38, a resident of Poblacion, Alimodian.

Dacles delivered poultry feeds at Binalud when the accident happened.

He was not around when policemen went to their office, but his employer assured Alingalan that they would personally go to the police station.

The owner also claimed they wanted to discuss amicable settlement with the victim’s family.