Calls for accountability were made after a motorcycle-riding uniformed personnel hit an individual who was walking for exercise in Ilocos Norte.
Reports said that a 31-year-old female teacher passed away on Sunday, April 12, after being confined in the hospital for days due to a severe head injury sustained when she was hit by a motorcycle.
CCTV footage showed the teacher walking for exercise along the side of the bypass road in Barangay 55-C Vira, Laoag City when a speeding motorcycle struck her from behind.
Due to the force of the collision, the teacher was thrown slightly, while the motorcycle also fell over.
The incident happened at past 7 a.m. on April 8.
Motorists who witnessed the incident immediately rushed to help.
Authorities learned that the motorcycle was driven by a 36-year-old individual who is a member of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Police said the driver was intoxicated while operating the motorcycle and had come from a beerhouse.
The PCG member is now facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
Reports of the incident have made their way to a Filipino Reddit community, where they have garnered 2,300 upvotes and over 230 comments, with some users calling for accountability for the life lost due to the driver’s recklessness.
Teacher dead after being hit by drunk-driving PCG member
by
u/Karmas_Classroom in
Philippines
“Please, life imprisonment, God please. Took an innocent life, serve a life sentence,” a Redditor wrote.
“Dapat matik [automatic] revoke na ‘pag napatunayan na DUI [plus] criminal charges. Kaya maraming bisugo na nagmamaneho pa rin kahit lasing e,” another commented, referring to “Driving Under Influence.”
“Dapat ganinong driver, kinukuha ang lisensya, kinukulong at ‘di palalabasin,” another Pinoy wrote.
“Sana ‘di makipagareglo. ” Sana makulong ‘yung driver,” another said.
“Revoke sana lahat ng lisensya at lifetime na financial support doon sa naiwan, kahit 5k [P5,000] per month lang, hays. Who knows, baka ‘yang sinagasaan niya eh nag-iisang professional at may stable job na inaasahan ng kanyang matatandang mga magulang,” a different Redditor commented.
Apart from the charges, there are no indications as to how the incident will affect the PCG member’s status as a uniformed personnel.
Meanwhile, Republic Act 10586, also known as the Anti-Drunk and Anti-Drugged Act, states it is “unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or other similar substances.”
The law provides that violations resulting in physical injuries or homicide are subject to penalties under the Revised Penal Code, as well as fines of up to P500,000.
