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The driver who allegedly ran over and dragged a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) in Cubao, Quezon City last Friday morning has been arrested by the police and is now facing charges. |
MMDA Traffic Discipline Office head Crisanto Saruca identified the suspect as Mark Ian Libunao, the driver of an Isuzu Sportivo, who fled after the incident.
Saruca, a lawyer, said Libunao was arrested by the police on Saturday, together with the vehicle owner, Dante Borgueta, of San Miguel, Bulacan.
MMDA traffic constable Sonny Acosta, who was “hit and dragged” by a red Isuzu Sportivo while manning traffic along Edsa at around 8 am last Friday, is now confined at St Luke’s Hospital.
Saruca said that Acosta, one of the more than 400 MMDA traffic enforcers deployed along Edsa to help ease traffic flow during the Christmas season, flagged down the vehicle driver for committing a traffic violation inside a bus loading bay.
But Libunao allegedly sped off, hitting and dragging Acosta under the SUV several metres away.
Fellow constable, Liberty Tongco, who was around during the incident, was able to take down the SUV’s plate number which was subsequently traced to Borgueta as the owner.
Acosta sustained severe injuries in the head and other parts of his body and is now in comatose condition at the intensive care unit of the hospital.
Meanwhile, the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Saturday filed charges of reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries and driving with an expired driver’s license against Libunao.
Assistant Prosecutor Corazon Romano filed the criminal complaint on behalf of Acosta against suspect Libunao.
Romano recommended a bail bond of PhP8,000 for the provisional release of Libunao.
