Ateneo student's kin say 'killer' driver should admit fault

MANILA, Philippines - As the remains of grade school student Julian Carlo Miguel “Amiel” Alcantara were laid to rest yesterday, his family said the woman who drove the van that ran over him should take responsibility for his death.

They issued a statement in response to an apology sent by Ma. Theresa Torres on Friday, saying they owe it to the boy “to see to it that justice is done.”

“We note the expressions of concern and sympathy artfully conveyed in the statement of Ms. Torres. Our loss is indeed irreplaceable, and our pain, beyond imagining. But her statement fails to assuage; her words fail to comfort,” the family’s statement, read by Amiel’s brother Andre, stated.

“For even as she seeks sympathy also for herself, Ms. Torres studiously avoids acknowledging any culpability for this terrible tragedy,” the family said.

The family was apparently referring to a portion in Torres’ apology that said: “I also deserve compassion and understanding as I am also a victim of circumstance.”

Amiel’s father, Jose “Pepe” Alcantara, said his son started his last day alive by getting out of the family car just as it was about to bring him to school and giving him a hug.

“I am not superstitious but now I understand,” Pepe told relatives and friends who attended the Mass held at the Ateneo de Manila University before Amiel’s remains were brought for cremation.

Pepe said he thought the hug was just Amiel’s “gimmick” to ask for more “baon” that day.

He said the next time he would see his son was when they were preparing his remains for the wake.

The 10-year-old Amiel died after being ran over by a van driven by Torres at the parking lot of the Ateneo de Manila University on Tuesday afternoon.

“It started with a tight hug and ended with him inside a coffin,” Pepe said after the Mass at the chapel of the Ateneo Grade School.

Before the blue-gray casket that contained Amiel’s body was brought to Arlington chapel on Araneta Avenue for the cremation, family, friends and classmates released blue and white balloons with the words “Fly High Amiel.”

Torres, meanwhile, was released from detention Friday night after her camp posted P36,000 bail and secured a release order from a Quezon City court.

Police said Torres was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injury for Amiel’s death and the injuries sustained by the boy’s nanny.

The charge of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property against Torres, who hit a vehicle after running over Amiel, has been subjected to further investigation by the prosecutor.