Guv aide’s car rams man dead

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A 56-year-old man on a motorcycle was killed after he was hit by the car of the governor’s executive assistant, in front of a state college in Talisay City, Negros Occidental at 6 p.m. Saturday, police said.

Superintendent Joseph Thomas Martir, Talisay City Police chief, said the victim, Danilo Sotoyosil, died on arrival at a hospital in Bacolod due to internal hemorrhage.

Sotoyosil was thrown off his motorcycle after it was hit by the Ford Ranger vehicle of Manuel Escalante, former Manapla town mayor and presently the aide of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Due to the strong impact, Sotoyosil’s motorcycle careened into the highway’s gutter and hit a store. It also threw the victim 20 feet away from the scene.

Manuel, husband of incumbent Manapla Mayor Lourdes Escalante, personally attended to the victim in bringing him to a hospital, after which he surrendered himself to the police.

He denied some claims that he was drunk when the accident happened. He clarified that he was only tired, because of several problems, including the recent firing of explosives into their house in Manapla, which had traumatized members of his family and hacienda workers.

Escalante was ordered released by Bacolod Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 2 Judge Montano Medel, after he posted bail of P12,000, Martir said.  (FREEMAN)