Bicol Top Cop Asks Parents to be on Alert While Walking Along Highway with Children

Legazpi City (PNA) -– The top police official of Bicol has warned parents to be extra watchful on their children who are with them while walking along a national road or highway.

Chief Supt. Augusto Marquez Jr., Philippine National Police Bicol regional director, issued the warning after a seven-year-old girl suddenly crossed the road without looking on both sides of the highway, resulted in her being bumped by a coming motorcycle in Purok 6, Barangay San Isidro, Castilla, Sorsogon at 6:45 a.m. Monday.

Victim Joanna Mae J. Bitancur, a Grade 2 pupil, was walking on her way to school with her mother, Julie, at the side of the Maharlika Highway, when she decided to cross the street.

Bitancur was rushed to the Vicente Peralta Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Driver Gerald L. Zepeda, who came from Barangay La Union and was bound for Barangay San Rafael, both in Castilla, immediately left the place to avoid arrest but later on was identified by responding police personnel.

Zepeda was also injured and brought to the hospital for treatment.

He was not able to present a driver’s license nor his motorcycle’s CR/OR. (PNA) LAP/FGS/EMC/CBD