Boy, 6, hurt in road accident

CEBU, Philippines – A 6-year-old boy landed at the hospital due to several bruises and injuries after he was hit by a habal-habal (motorcycle for hire) along the provincial road of Barangay Western Poblacion, San Francisco, Camotes at 5:15 p.m. Friday.

Francisco Argallon was crossing the road heading home when a speeding motorcycle-for-hire suddenly hit him. Police said the XRM 125 motorcycle, bearing plate numbers 9724GP, was driven by Edfer Wenceslao, 35, of Barangay San Isidro came from Barangay Poblacion and bound for Barangay Western Poblacion with a passenger on board when the accident happened.

PO2 Reynaldo Tañica of San Francisco Police Station disclosed that prior the accident, the victim was playing along the road together with some playmates. But the boy allegedly decided to go home and was hit by the motorcycle while he was crossing the road.

"Nidiretso lang ni siya og labang wa kabantay sa motor," PO2 Tañica told The FREEMAN. The victim sustained several bruises and injuries. Witnesses said the boy's ear was bleeding when rushed to the district hospital.

Wenceslao was issued a temporary operators permit (TOP) after the responding officers found out that his vehicle's certificate of registration and official receipt were already expired. Police said he was also driving without a license.

"He need to pay the necessary fines to get his motorcycle back," Tañica said, adding the motorcycle was already in their custody.

The family of the victim is however not interested in filing a case against the erring driver. (FREEMAN)