PLDT, contractor sued for damages over traffic accident in Minglanilla

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company and one of its contractors were sued for damages over the death of a motorist in Minglanilla which was allegedly caused by the company’s negligence.

The heirs of the late Sergio Genon, who died of a vehicular accident in Linao, Minglanilla on July 19, 2012, filed a civil case for damages against the PLDT and SLL International Cables Specialist Corporation.

Marichu Genon, who signed the complaint on behalf of the heirs, is demanding over P600,000 in actual, moral and exemplary damages as well reimbursement of the litigation expenses from the defendants.

Marichu said her father died after his motorcycle crashed into a barricade installed by the defendants in the middle of the highway. Marichu claimed that her father was travelling at the national highway on his way home to Cebu City from Minglanilla at 5:00 a.m. when he rammed into the barricade because of poor visibility.

The complainant claimed that the defendants failed to put in place the required early warning device that would have warned her father of the barricade ahead. Because of the accident, her family is allegedly drowning debt amounting to P503,072.87.

The money was allegedly used for the hospitalization of her father before he died 12 days after the accident.

The PLDT through its contractor was undertaking the opening/dewatering of manholes and installation or splicing of fiber optic cables along Natalio Bacalso Ave. starting from PLDT Bulacao, Talisay City to the junction of Naga Uling Toledo Road South Poblacion Naga City, Cebu.

Marichu said her father was not the first to figure in a vehicular accident in the area due to the “barricade and trench.”  Moreover, she said due to the failure of the defendants to comply the conditions, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was compelled to cancel their permit.— FPL (FREEMAN)