Fleeing man hit by jeepney

CEBU, Philippines – An unidentified man who tried to evade further attacks from a group of boys ended up being hit by a jeepney passenger along Osmeña Boulevard corner Colon Street early yesterday morning.

The man, estimated to be about 20 to 30 years old, is now in critical condition at the hospital. He was wearing a black T-shirt and checkered shorts.

One of the men who chased him was eventually arrested by policemen.

The suspect identified himself as Doly De Gracia, a native of Toledo City and is currently staying at his auntie's house in Barangay San Nicolas.

PO2 Edgardo Becoy of the Traffic Division identified the driver of the passenger jeepney with route no. 21B as Valerio Nieves, 34, of Maguikay, Mandaue City.

Nieves told dyHP that he was heading for Mandaue City when the incident happened.

He said stopped in front of a department store and sped off when the traffic lights turned green, only to bump into the victim. The victim was reportedly running from at least five men who earlier mauled him.

PO1 Ruben Catubig and a police companion chased the men and eventually got hold of De Gracia, who later denied that he and his group mauled the victim.

The suspect admitted that he and his cousins just finished drinking at a disco house and encountered a fight, but not with the victim, along their way.

However, Catubig positively identified De Gracia and his companions as the ones who mauled the victim.

The suspect is now detained while the driver is also being held pending further investigation into the incident. (FREEMAN)