Killed while on duty, Korean runs over CITOM enforcer

CEBU, Philippines - A City Traffic Operations Management enforcer supervising traffic in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City Tuesday was killed after a vehicle driven by a Korean hit and ran her over.

Maria Theresa Bascones, 38, a resident of Villa Kauswagan, Barangay Basak Pardo, suffered severe head injuries and died 12 hours after the incident.

A spot report sent to the Cebu City Police Office showed that Bascones was on duty and directing traffic along Gov. Cuenco Avenue in front of the Gaisano Country Mall around 5 p.m. when a Hyundai Tucson Wagon (YEF 614) driven by Heo Sun Kyung hit her.

Heo, 49, of Seoul, South Korea, temporarily resides at Santa Barbara Condominium in Barangay Apas, Cebu City.

The police said Heo was coming from the mall and allegedly made a quick left turn, hitting Bascones in the process.

Responding Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation personnel rushed the victim to the Perpetual Succour Hospital, where she died around 5 a.m. yesterday.

In a press conference yesterday, Mayor Michael Rama said the city would give financial assistance to Bascones’ family.

“They (family members) will also receive burial assistance and the city government will help pay the hospital-related costs since we’re also asking from the family of the Korean to help pay the bills,” he said.

Rama said that because the victim died while on duty, he would acknowledge her in a speech during the City Hall flag ceremony on Monday.

Heo refused to give her side when The FREEMAN sought her out at the Tourist Police outpost near City Hall where she is currently detained.

Heo’s fellow Koreans, however, said that what happened was an accident as she did not see Bascones.

As of last night, authorities still do not know whether or not Bascones’ family members would pursue a case against Heo.

Jonathan Tumulak, CITOM operations chief, said that for now, Bascones’ family only wants the financial assistance Heo promised so the victim could be properly laid to rest.

“Wala pa sila makahuna-huna sa pagka-karon nga mopasaka og kaso kay ila lang gusto mahipos ang lawas sa biktima ug matabangan sila sa mga gasto (As of the moment, they are not yet thinking if they would file a case or not.  What they want is to bury her first and that they would be assisted in the expenses),” he said.

Tumulak said that Heo’s family told CITOM that they would shoulder the hospital bills and the expenses in the funeral and burial of Bascones.

CITOM Executive Director Rafael Yap also said they would pay tribute to Bascones since she died while at work, but would focus for now on assisting her family.

Bascones served as Cebu City traffic enforcer for 12 years.

“We are still not talking about that now because we are focusing more on the assistance that we will be giving; because we need to ensure that the family is well taken care of,” Yap said.

Bascones’ remains lie at the St. Peter Memorial Chapel along Imus Road, Cebu City.—/RHM (FREEMAN)