Ramos daughter hurt in mishap

A daughter of former President Fidel Ramos was hospitalized after being sideswiped by a water delivery truck late Thursday night in Parañaque City.

Carolina Ramos Sembrano, 45, a resident of Ayala Alabang subidivision in Muntinlupa City, was "unconscious and in critical condition as a result of the head injuries she sustained," said Inspector Glenn Tigson, head of the Parañaque City police Criminal Investigation Division.

But early last night, a report by ABS-CBN’s "TV Patrol" said Sembrano has been declared out of danger.

Initial reports showed that at around 10:45 p.m. Thursday, Sembrano was crossing President Avenue in Barangay BF Homes. She was about to reach the center island when a passing Isuzu Elf truck’s left side mirror hit her head.

The truck, with license plates WKY-227, is owned and operated by Francisco Water Delivery and driven by Romeo Cruz.

Sembrano was reportedly thrown about three meters away, rendering her unconscious and causing the back of her head to bleed. She was on her way to her car, which was parked on the other side of the road.

The 34-year-old Cruz stepped out and flagged down a passing Besta van. The driver of the van brought Sembrano to the Parañaque Medical Center, while Cruz boarded the truck and sped off.

Sembrano was later transferred to the Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC). Her husband, Alex, has been at the hospital since early yesterday morning.

Her family and friends, grim-faced, waited outside the hospital’s intensive care unit while some 20 security personnel roam the quiet hospital grounds carrying handheld radios.

One security guard said they were instructed to keep a closer watch against intruders because Sembrano is being treated in the hospital.

One of the employees at the hospital’s food court said security at the hospital has always been tight to prevent "unwanted visitors" from entering the premises. She said there had been instances when intruders would attempt to sneak into AHMC.

At the hospital’s second floor, where Sembrano is confined, a security guard screens everyone who steps out of the elevator.

Parañaque policemen, headed by Chief Inspector Enrique Sy of the Police Community Precinct 4, apprehended Cruz at his home in Taguig. He is now detained at the police station and could face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries.

"Our police officers were able to get the truck’s plate number from the security guards detailed in the subdivision. They conducted a follow-up operation and were able to accost Cruz, who did not make any effort to resist arrest," Tigson said.

Policemen were instructed to check if Cruz has a criminal record or warrants against him.

Cruz, in an interview with The STAR, feared he would no longer be released from jail, since Sembrano is in critical condition and a former president’s daughter.

"It was an accident. I was in shock. I want so badly to visit her at the hospital and know her condition. I don’t know what will happen to me," he said in Filipino. "I am losing hope I would ever be released from prison and once this is brought to court, I might not get a fair trial."

Cruz said he is willing to do anything to make amends to Sembrano’s family. "I hope they would forgive me."

He also expressed concern over his family’s welfare — his wife Carmelita works at a garment factory to help support their two boys, aged eight and 12. His mother and siblings are not aware of the incident.

Cruz said he saw Sembrano and another person as they were about to cross the road. He slowed down, claiming they seemed to have stopped walking even before they reached the center island.

When he moved the truck forward, the vehicle’s left side mirror hit Sembrano’s head.

"I could not have been driving fast because there was a drizzle. I was about to make a turn to fill the tank with diesel from a nearby gasoline station. I have been driving for several years and this is the first time that I have ever been involved in an accident," the teary-eyed Cruz said.