After hot pursuit: ‘Wayward’ SUV driver arrested

CEBU, Philippines —  A man believed to have been driving under the influence of liquor was arrested during a hot pursuit operation conducted by the Cebu City police after he figured twice in a vehicular accident yesterday dawn.

Mel Carlo Villanueva was arrested outside his residence in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City at 5 a.m. yesterday, few hours after he was involved in two incidents of hit-and-run. Operatives of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) station 2 or Abellana Police Station pursued Villanueva after he was identified by witnesses as the driver of a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that fled after he rear-ended a taxi at the intersection on General Maxilom Avenue in Barangay Kamputhaw.

Police Major Nolan Tagsip, Abellana Police Station chief, said that Villanueva also hit a motorcycle rider on Osmeña Boulevard as he was fleeing from the first incident. The driver of the motorcycle, a woman, sustained injuries after she was thrown off her motorcycle.

The motorcycle was also dragged by Vilanueva’s vehicle several meters away from the impact area as he again escaped.

 According to Tagsip, when they first visited the residence of Villanueva immediately after they received the report but they did not find him. He was later arrested in the morning after he went out of his house to face the policemen.

“Nigawas raman sad siya, so I believe wala syay intention mag-tago,” said Tagsip.

Tagsip said Villanueva refused to narrate during the investigation what happened and why did he run away from his responsibility.

Police Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, CCPO deputy city director for operations, ordered the Abellana Police Station to submit Villanueva to a liquor test to determine if he was intoxicated during the incident.

Parilla also directed the police station to submit a report to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to have Villanueva’s license suspended.

“With that driver, he should not drive anymore,” said Parilla.

The police are now waiting for the victims to file a formal complaint against Villanueva. The taxi driver, however, reportedly agreed to an amicable settlement.

The female rider has yet to decide whether to agree to a settlement or to pursue a criminal complaint against Villanueva. — FPL (FREEMAN)