Police Driver Denies Negligence in Fatal Jaro Road Crash

By Gerome Dalipe IV

A police officer assigned to the PNP Health Service of Police Regional Office 6 has denied any negligence after a June 4 accident in Barangay Dungon B that claimed the life of an 18‑year‑old Pharmacy student.

The officer personally submitted his formal reply today to the show cause order issued by the Land Transportation Office Region 6 (LTO‑6). He handed his affidavit of explanation to Shiela Mae Alulod, chief of the LTO‑6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit, reiterating that he exercised due diligence.

The LTO‑6, under Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II, issued the order citing a potential violation of Section 48 of Republic Act No. 4136—the Land Transportation and Traffic Code—which prohibits reckless driving that endangers life or property. Assistant Regional Director Jeck D. Conlu emphasized that the show cause process safeguards the officer’s right to due process.

In his sworn statement, the police officer maintained that no patient was on board the Toyota HiAce ambulance at the time of the crash and that he was driving at a safe speed. He said he slowed as he approached the pedestrian lane, saw several people waiting on both sides, and sounded the horn twice to warn pedestrians.

“Just as the ambulance was about three meters from the crosswalk, the student suddenly ran across the street,” he recounted. “I immediately applied the brakes and swerved left, but her body still hit the front of the vehicle.”

The policeman added that he and his colleagues immediately transported the victim to Asia Pacific Medical Center for emergency treatment and together donated over ₱300,000 toward her medical expenses.