Informant Gets PHP50K for Jaro Hit-and-Run Tip

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A cash reward of PHP50,000 was given to the informant who helped police identify the suspect in the hit-and-run incident in Jaro, Iloilo City on April 19.

City Mayor Jerry Treñas turned over the reward to the tipster on Wednesday, April 23, at Iloilo City Hall.

Colonel Kim Legada, Iloilo City police chief, said the informant was the only person who called and informed them that he frequently saw the vehicle involved in the crash.

“He even corrected that it was not a Ford Everest SUV, as earlier reported, but a Ford Expedition wagon,” Legada said.

He added that the informant claimed he also knew the man driving the vehicle.

A 33-year-old man has since admitted to being the driver involved in the incident that injured a rider and his backrider.

Accompanied by his legal counsel, alias Arvie, a resident of Iloilo City, appeared before the Iloilo City Police Station 3 on the morning of April 22.

Arvie confessed to driving the Ford Expedition that struck Ariel Habal, 32, a construction worker, and his cousin-backrider Erick Paul Gacita, 24, both residents of Duran Street, Barangay Concepcion, City Proper, Iloilo City.

He also signed an extrajudicial confession and a waiver for his detention.

The suspect reportedly works as a hired driver for a Chinese national who owns the vehicle.

CCTV footage showed that Habal and Gacita were navigating Commission Civil Street, Jaro, from Barangay Javellana when they were struck by a Ford Expedition traveling on the opposite lane.

The vehicle swerved left, hit the motorcycle, and fled in the direction of La Paz district.

The motorcycle sustained damage to its front portion.

Habal suffered a laceration on his left upper arm, an injury to his left hand, and avulsion of his little finger.

Gacita sustained a laceration on his left forearm, facial avulsion on the left side of his face, and abrasions on his left hand.

Criminal charges may be filed against the suspect next week.