Driver’s family vows assistance for victims

CEBU, Philippines – The family of the driver of the Isuzu dropside van that ploughed through several vehicles in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City over the weekend is willing to shoulder the victims’ medical expenses.

Cherry Isobal, wife of the van’s driver and owner, Nelson, said their family is amenable to selling its properties, including the van.

“Wala’y mahimo. Atubangon gyud ang responsibilidad (We have no other choice but to face our responsibility),” Cherry said when asked if they will help those affected by the vehicular mishap which also claimed the life of motorist Manulit Subang.

Police Officer 2 Nelson Sadile, traffic investigator at the Mandaue City Police Office, said Cherry already contacted their family in Victorias City, Negros Occidental to seek some money that can be used as initial help for the victims.

Sadile added that Cherry and the victims have discussed the possibility of a settlement.

He also said Manulit’s widow, Joan Lee Subang, has already accepted the tragedy and downplayed insinuations that there might have been a foul play involved.

“Wala sa ilang mga hunahuna ang mga pagduda kay kining mga tawhana, naa sa simbahan. Mao na sila nga puros gyud ang ilang pagsalig (They are not in doubt; they believe it was a mere accident),” Sadile said, quoting statements of Joan Lee.

Manulit, who was a church pastor and basketball coach, was one of the nine victims in the 10-vehicle smashup. Two of the other victims were siblings aged five and eight.

Manulit was then heading to Cebu City onboard his motorcycle, when he was hit by the van driven by Nelson.

Nelson’s Isuzu van, containing sacks of sugar from Negros Occidental, triggered the pileup when its air brakes allegedly malfunctioned.

Nelson has since asked forgiveness from those who were affected by the accident, saying it was not his intention to ram his van on other vehicles.

“Mangayo ko’g pasaylo sa tanan sa nahitabo nga disgrasya. Kahibalo man ang Ginoo nga wala gyud to nako tuyoa,” Nelson said.

As of press time yesterday, no case has been officially filed yet against Nelson since the police are still waiting for the results of the traffic investigation which will form part of the case’s filing.

Furthermore, except for a relative of Manulit, no other family members of the victims have so far showed up to lodge a formal case against the suspect.

Nelson is expected to face charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to properties. He is currently detained at the Subangdaku Police Station.