Jeepney driver leaves victim at cemetery to die

MANILA, Philippines - A jeepney driver hit a man crossing the street, then brought the victim to a cemetery and left him to die, police said yesterday.

Ronaldo Verdadero, 46, was driving his jeepney along A. Mabini street when he accidentally hit 57-year-old Rodolfo de Vera at around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Police Officer 3 Cesar Madlangsakay said.

However, instead of bringing his victim to the hospital, Verdadero took De Vera to the Malabon Cemetery and left him there.

Police Officer 3 Rommel Habit, who was manning the desk at the Malabon City police station, received a call about a man found dead at the cemetery. 

At the Malabon Cemetery, a man approached Habit and told him the dead man was his neighbor and identified the driver who left him at the cemetery.

Madlangsakay said Verdadero, after his arrest, told investigators that De Vera agreed to be paid P300 and brought to the cemetery instead of the hospital.

Malabon police officers turned Verdadero over to their counterparts in Caloocan, where he was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.