Retired officer dies, 6 others hurt in vehicular mishap

Don’t drink and drive.

This lesson was learned too late by a drunk retired police superintendent, who was maneuvering backward his automatic vehicle, hit other retirees waiting for a ride home after a Christmas party of retirees inside Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr. on Sunday night in Cebu City.

The accident resulted to the death of a retired police officer and injuries to six others at about 8:15 p.m. Sunday inside the police camp, where the retirees held their party.

Central Visayas police director Chief Superintendent Ronaldo Roderos identified the fatality as retired superintendent Florentino Lapinid, who was pronounced dead a few hours later by the attending physician of Chong Hua Hospital.

Other injured victims were identified as Ernesto Pacaña, Aristo de Gracia, Edmund Benondo, Concordio Castañares, Teddy Aresa and Rodulfo Beduya. They remain at the same hospital.

Roderos said Benjamin Babael Miaga, 66, married, of 434-J P. Del Rosario Extention, Cebu City, the driver of the vehicle that hit the victim is presently detained at the Cebu Provincial Traffic Office facing investigation.

“Responding policemen claimed Miaga was reeking with liquor. Traffic authorities conducted liquor test on Miaga and they are waiting for the result of the test,” Roderos told The STAR.

Police said the victims were waiting for a ride home when accidentally hit by Miaga’s automatic Mitsubishi Pajero (GTV-569), when the driver maneuvered backward.

“Miaga apparently did not see the victims, responding policemen reported that Lapinid was pulled out from under the vehicle,” Roderos said.

Police said Miaga also hit the left front side portion of a parked Kia Picanto (YAT-700), owned by Feliciano Arriola, 59, married, of Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City.         

   – Cecille Suerte Felipe