Truck runs over councilman

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay councilman died after he was ran over by a ten-wheeler truck while he was trying to avoid hitting a dog in Barangay Tolo, Alcantara town at 7 p.m. last Saturday.

The accident crushed the head of 36-year-old Nelson Escoreal Libaton and killed him on the spot. Libaton is serving his first term as councilman in Barangay Minolos, Barili town.

According to SPO2 Meliton Agadier of Alcantara Police Station, the victim was driving a Suzuki motorcycle on his way home from Moalboal town, about five kilometers away from Alcantara.

When he reached the national highway of Barangay Tolo, the victim tried to overtake the truck but before he could do so, a dog suddenly crossed the road and was hit by the motorcycle. The dog died.

Agadier said the victim lost control of the motorcycle and fell on the ground. The left rear tire of the truck crushed Libaton’s head, Agadier said.

People along the road witnessed the incident and tried to apprehend the driver, Delfin Canape, 53, a company driver of Vic Sato Transport Corp. based in Cebu City. The truck just came from Samboan to deliver cooking oil.

But Canape, Agadier said, kept on driving not knowing that he accidentally killed someone.

“Nakabantay siya nga naligsan ang iro but iya lang gi-ignore kay nagtuo siya nga wa siya’y labot sa aksidente,” he said. (He thought he was not involved in the accident.)

A concerned citizen went to their police station to inform them of the incident, prompting the police to respond.

Agadier said they then called up their counterpart in the nearby town of Ronda to flag down the truck. The truck was flagged down in Poblacion, Ronda and the surprised driver was arrested.

He is now detained at the Alcantara Police Station while waiting for possible charges the victim’s family may file against him, Agadier said.

The victim is married and has three children. — (FREEMAN)