Driver apologizes for Ateneo student's death

MANILA, Philippines - The driver of a van that ran over a 10-year-old boy at the Ateneo de Manila University parking lot in Quezon City is apologizing to the boy’s family for his death, a lawyer said yesterday.

“I apologize for the difficulties, sorrow and trouble plaguing their lives brought by that tragic accident. I pray to God that they could overcome that suffering and my family is also suffering from this traumatic experience. God knows no one among us wants this thing to happen in our lives,” Ma. Theresa Torres, speaking through her lawyer Rolando Villones, said.

Villones said his client “has improved” yesterday and is already recovering from going into hysterics following the incident.

“I also deserve compassion and understanding as I am also a victim of circumstance. I could hardly speak due to the traumatic situation that incident has brought into my life,” Torres said.

The family of Amiel, speaking through their lawyer, Rafael Aquino, said Torres “still has to answer the consequences of her acts and omissions… what she did and what she didn’t do.”

Torres was still in detention yesterday even as her camp was able to post bail for her temporary release. They have yet to secure a signature by a judge for a release order. According to Villones, trial court judges were in Tagaytay attending a convention.

Senior Inspector Erlito Renegin, commander of the Quezon City Police District-Traffic Sector 3, said it was possible that Torres would be released on Monday.

Torres’ lawyer said the family is considering bringing her to a convent once she is released for “intensive counseling.”

“This is very traumatic for her… She is a very hardworking young woman whose daily routine is work and family. She had time that afternoon (the accident happened)… so she picked up her child from school,” Villones said, referring to Torres.

The lawyer maintained that it was an accident, saying his client has been driving since she was a student.

Amiel’s father, Jose Alcantara, said his son’s death is more painful than the 63 days of hunger strike he went through as an activist during the martial law years.

Amiel’s remains are set to be cremated this afternoon.

His older brother, Andre, fondly recalled how the boy would tag along with him even in his extra-curricular activities at school.

Andre said despite his brother’s “small height, young age and fragile health,” Amiel always “wanted to make an impact” in everything he did.

Andre said when he asked Amiel what he wanted to become when he grew up, Amiel said, “I want to be legendary.”

Andre mentioned an incident when Amiel was playing football at the Ateneo grounds and the ball got lost during a game earlier this year.

“It was the ball of his friend and he told his friend he would get it before the end of the year. So he went back every day” to search for the missing ball, Andre said. Asked if Amiel found the ball, Andre became quiet and refused to answer.

Amiel was picked up by a nanny after school on Tuesday afternoon when he was run over by a van driven by Torres.

Torres has been charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injury and damage to property for Amiel’s death, the injuries sustained by the boy’s nanny, and for hitting another vehicle.

Amiel’s aunt, Sari Moreno, corrected statements earlier issued by the police stating that Torres brought the boy to the hospital following the incident. She said a witness was the one who brought Amiel for treatment.