No case vs Richard Gutierrez on aide's death - police

CAVITE, Philippines – He’s off the hook.

This was the statement of the police when The STAR asked about the liability of actor Richard Gutierrez in his aide’s death after they figured in a vehicular accident in Silang town before dawn Friday.

Superintendent Danilo Buentipo, Silang police chief, said Gutierrez will not be charged with any criminal or civil case since his parents made the necessary settlement with the family of his dead bodyguard and injured staffer.

“The family of his aides will not file any complaint that’s why he will not have any case,” Buentipo said. “When someone files a complaint, that is the only time that we can charge Gutierrez.”

Gutierrez, 25 was hurt while his bodyguard Nomar Pardo died when their Nissan Skyline GTR sports car slammed into an electric post while traversing the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road in Barangay Puting Kahoy, Silang town at around 1:20 a.m. last Friday.

Buentipo said Pardo died due to massive body injuries, while Richard and his other assistant, George Mascora, were rushed to the Ospital ng Tagaytay and later transferred to Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa for treatment of minor injuries.

Buentipo said Gutierrez, son of showbiz couple Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama, assured the family of his aides that he will shoulder the burial and hospital expenses of their kin.

The Gutierrezes also made the necessary arrangement with the Manila Electric Co. regarding the damaged electric post, Buentipo said.

Richard’s group was bound for Manila from Tagaytay and was negotiating a curve when the actor lost control of the car, which hit a Meralco post then fell into a 10-foot deep ravine.

Buentipo said the Department of Public Works and Highways should put the necessary road signs or warnings in the area to prevent similar accidents.

As a result of the car mishap Richard had more than 10 stitches near his left eyebrow but he is now in stable condition.

In an interview with ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol World, Richard’s sister, actress and beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez, said her brother was only informed of Pardo’s death late Friday afternoon.

“He was really devastated, he cried and cried upon learning of Nomar’s death,” Ruffa said. “We didn’t tell him about it immediately because it might affect his recovery.”

Ruffa also slammed reports that Richard was drunk when the mishap happened.

“There’s no truth to that. Richard was really very tired from the shooting and he avoided something on the road that’s why they met an accident,” she said.

The young actor’s face sustained wounds caused by glass shards that his attending doctor had to remove during the operation.

According to the hospital’s medical bulletin, Richard still needs a cornea operation because some glass splinters pierced his eye.

Ruffa also said in a text message that the airbag of Richard’s vehicle saved his life.

In an interview with abs-cbnnews.com, Annabelle said it was a miracle that saved the life of her son.