MAHAPLAG, Leyte-A Grade 2 pupil died after he was bumped by a passenger van about at 5:35 pm on Friday(Oct. 14) at Sitio San Roque of Barangay Hilusig, here.
Major Neil Fernando Cerdeña, town police chief, identified the victim as Charles Villardar, 7, and a resident of the said place.
The suspect was identified as Jabar Aribado, 33, and a resident of Brgy. Monteverde Baybay, City.
Initial investigation conducted by the responding police disclosed that the vehicle, driven by Aribado, was travelling from Tacloban City bound for Baybay City while the victim was playing beside the road.
However, when the vehicle reached Sitio San Roque, the victim suddenly crossed the road and was hit by the said vehicle.
Witnesses told police that the driver tried to evade the victim to avoid hitting the young boy but failed in the process, resulting in severe injuries in different parts of his body.
The rescue group from the local Bureau of Fire Protection brought the boy him to the rural health unit.
He was later brought to the Abuyog District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.
(ROBERT DEJON)
