MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – Jeepney driver Morito Soliguen and the family of Jeymar Fortaleza, the graduating college student who died in a car crash on Sunday morning, are set to face today, Feb. 6.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ethan Estaya, Traffic Enforcement Unit chief of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), said in an interview on Monday that the victim’s family has yet to decide about filing cases.
The family was advised by the investigator that pressing charges would not be in their favor.
Witnesses told the police that at around 4:15 a.m. on Feb. 4, along Diversion Road in Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao district, Fortaleza’s car was seen swerving before crashing into Soliguen’s jeepney.
Soliguen also claimed to the authorities that he attempted to avoid the car after seeing Fortaleza allegedly overspeeding. He added there may be even traffic personnel who sighted the incident.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family claimed that the possible reason for the 23-year-old’s death was insufficient traffic personnel and road signage.
It was learned that the other side of the road was closed because of a fun run.
Estaya clarified that the ICPO’s Traffic Enforcement Unit’s task is to investigate road incidents, while the Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit (ICTMU) is assigned to ensure that the roads and lanes have a good flow of riders.
Event organizers partnered with the city government, specifically ICTMU, which refuted the allegations and claimed that they had properly implemented road closures, disseminated information, and secured safety while the event was ongoing./PN
