Patrol car accident victims eye charges vs. city cops

The family of the couple whose vehicle was hit by a police car responding to an armed person alarm is planning to file charges against the policemen and has sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Franz Villalonga was accompanied by his mother yesterday to the NBI office where they signified their intention to press charges against the policemen involved for allegedly showing no interest to shoulder the expenses of the damage caused by the incident.

Villalonga said that no one from the police have talked to them to discuss the damages, especially since he and his wife were injured and had to be hospitalized.

Villalonga said his wife Vanessa suffered two broken ribs and a cut on her eyebrow because of the incident while he suffered bruises and was injured in the knees.

Villalonga’s mother wanted to file the complaint at the NBI immediately but Villalonga opted to wait for a while to discuss the matter with police officials. They were advised by NBI officials to just return to the office if they are ready to file the complaint.

Villalonga and his wife were on board a Volkswagen and were on their way to a fast-food outlet along Fuente Osmeña in the morning of November 25 when a speeding mobile car driven by PO1 Norman Patindol hit them. The patrol car, which was responding to an armed person alarm, went against the traffic flow to make a short cut to B. Rodriguez Street when the incident happened.

Cebu City police officials defended the responding policemen and justified their making a shortcut because they were on a legitimate police operation. The police car’s siren and blinker lights to warn motorists were allegedly on when the incident happened.

A veteran investigator who requested anonymity however said that even if the policemen were on a legitimate operation, they are still liable for the damage that the incident caused to the family of the victims. – Fred P. Languido/QSB