Brgy capt sued for snubbing injured woman

CEBU, Philippines - For his alleged refusal to transport an injured pregnant woman to the hospital, a barangay captain of Bugtong-Kawayan, Barili town is facing a complaint before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

The complaint was originally filed against Barangay Captain Gonzalo Salinas before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

 But Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol forwarded the matter to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which has jurisdiction over the case.

The case stemmed from a road accident involving barangay captain Nelson Gingoyon of Guibuangan in the afternoon of May 20.

In the incident, Gingoyon allegedly hit and injured Line Navarro, a seven-month pregnant; Eva Mae Salazar, eight years old; and Joemar Bertoldo, 23.

PO2 Mark Anthony Fat and PO1 Florentino Cuadero Jr. of Barili Police Station claimed that they responded to a traffic accident along the national highway in Barangay Mantalongon involving a Suzuki multicab owned by Gingoyon.

The police officers said PO3 Acelino Ricaplaza then boarded the injured victims to their patrol car to be brought to Barili District Hospital.

However, their vehicle could only accommodate two injured persons, thus leaving Navarro.

Upon seeing Salinas in the area, the policemen said they asked him to transport Navarro to the hospital. But Salinas allegedly refused.

"That, it so happened that Gonzalo Salinas, an elected barangay captain of Bugtong-Kawayan, arrived at the area onboard on a government issued multicab bearing with Plate No. SJT 601 and considering that the two of the victims were his constituents, we asked him a favor to ferry Line Navarro to Barili District Hospital but we got dismayed when he refused to render his assistance," their joint-affidavit reads.

The police officers said that Salinas told them that he was in a hurry as he has to attend a session.

"That, moments later, Dr. Mary Joy B. Bajarias of Rural Health Unit of Municipality of Barili arrived and declared Line Navarro dead," the policemen added in the affidavit. -/LPM (FREEMAN)