Police car sideswipes, kills boy

ILOILO CITY , Philippines  — A policeman is now under investigation after the patrol car he was driving sideswiped a 7-year-old boy at 7:45 a.m. Thursday in Sebaste town of Antique.

Police Officer 3 Mariano Anton of the Pandan Police Station was on his way to the Antique Provincial Prosecutors’ Office in San Jose town when the accident happened.

Jade Gepulgan, a Grade Two pupil of Callan Elementary School, died on the spot after his head hit the concrete gutter.

Anton, after reporting the incident, proceeded to San Jose to appear before the prosecutor’s office about the arrest he earlier made with a certain Hilconido Sumanga, a suspect for frustrated murder.

Insp. Jose Partisala, Pandan Police chief, said Anton is now in custody pending the ongoing investigation on the incident.

Meanwhile, Gepulgan’s family did not manifest to file a case against Anton. They only asked for financial assistance for the burial of victim.

“Even if the family will not file a criminal complaint, the investigation will still proceed to determine the administrative liability of PO3 Anton,” Partisala said. (FREEMAN)