SUV driver in Mandaluyong hit-and-run incident surrenders to PNP

The driver of the SUV involved in the hit-and-run incident in Mandaluyong City surrendered Wednesday to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a press conference, suspect Jose Antonio Sanvicente, driver and registered owner of the vehicle, apologized for the incident and to victim security guard Christian Joseph Floralde.

"My apologies sa nangyari. My apologies kay Mr. Floralde at sa kanyang pamilya (my apologies for what happened, to Mr. Floralde, and his family)," he said.

FLASH: Owner ng SUV na sumagasa sa security guard sa Mandaluyong, sumuko na sa PNP @dzbb pic.twitter.com/zcaTx9sc7k

— Mark Makalalad (@MMakalalad) June 15, 2022

Sanvicente personally surrendered to PNP officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr. at the Camp Crame, along with his parents and lawyer, Atty. Danilo Macalino.

His camp also answered in affirmative when asked if they will shoulder the therapy expenses of Floralde, who was recently discharged from the hospital but still continues to feel pain in parts of his body.

“They are willing to extend help as legally possible sa kanila (to them). That is not to condone the incident, but they are willing to help the victim and the family. Obligasyon naman nila ‘yan eh (that is their obligation),” the lawyer said.

Floralde earlier expressed hope the driver would surrender and face the charges against him. He stressed that he never changed his mind about filing charges against Sanvicente.

On June 6, Floralde was run over by a white SUV as he was trying to direct traffic at the intersection of Julia Vargas Avenue and St. Francis street in Mandaluyong City at around 4 p.m.

TINGNAN: SUV na sumagasa sa security guard sa Mandaluyong, mananatili muna sa HPG sa Camp Crame @dzbb pic.twitter.com/UHTk09SXxu

— Mark Makalalad (@MMakalalad) June 15, 2022

Asked why Sanvicente did not stop the vehicle upon hitting Floralde, the lawyer said this was because the suspect “panicked,” but the family does “not condone” what happened.

“Siya mismo ang naga-apologize sa nangyari. Hindi niya gustong mangyari ‘yung aksidente. Nagkataon lang, natakot siya, nagpanic siya,” the lawyer said.

"Kami naman, ang sinabi ko sa pamilya, we do not condone the incident as reported on the viral media. Kailangan magpakita si Anton ng personal para mapahayag niya ang totoong nangyari,” he added.

(He apologizes for what happened. He did not want the incident to happen. Coincidentally, he was scared and he panicked. I told the family that we do not condone the incident as reported on the viral media. Anton has to show up in person so that he can explain what really happened.)

The lawyer, however, maintained that Sanvicente was not pressured by the calls for him to surrender.

“Hindi naman under pressure but I think the proper remedy is kailangan magpakita siya to diffuse the public perception na nagtatago siya at saka para ma-interview namin siya personally kung anong nangyari,” he said.

(It was not because he was under pressure but I think the proper remedy is he needs to show up to diffuse the public perception that he is hiding and also so that we can interview him personally about what happened.)

He also said Sanvicente has yet to personally talk with the family of the victim.

Drug test?

Moreover, Sanvicente denied allegations that he is a drug user which prompted him to run over the security guard.

“Hindi po. Hindi po ‘ko gumagamit (No, I’m not using drugs),” he said.

Further asked if he would subject himself to a drug test to prove his claim, Sanvicente said that he will do what his lawyer advises him to do. His lawyer, however, said he has yet to advise Sanvicente to undergo drug test as the charges against him are only traffic-related.

“As of now, we are not prepared to give him an advice personally kasi ‘yung charge lang naman sa kanya ngayon is a traffic accident. Let’s make it as is na sabi niya na hindi siya gumagamit. Kung nagdududa pa kayo, then we will advise him accordingly,” the lawyer added.

(We are not yet prepared to give him advice because the charge against him now is a traffic accident. He says he doesn’t use drugs. If you are still in doubt, then we will advise him accordingly.)

Danao on Monday urged Sanvicente to surrender to the police, asking him if he is a drug addict that was why he refused to do so.

For PNP’s part, Danao said they now consider the case as “solved” as a complaints have been filed and Sanvicente himself  already surrendered.

The lawyer said a hearing on the incident is set for June 17 and that Sanvicente will face the charges and answer the accusations against him.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Monday revoked the license of the SUV driver after failing to attend hearings regarding the incident.

The LTO also said their records showed that Sanvicente had three previous reckless driving incidents to his name and was apprehended for these in 2010, 2015, and 2016.

“Taken as a whole, his actions are tantamount to the acts of an improper person to operate a motor vehicle pursuant to Section 27 (a) of Republic Act (R.A) 4136 otherwise known as the ‘Land Transportation and Traffic Code’,” the LTO said in a statement.

“The Non-Professional Driver’s License of Mr. Sancicente was ordered revoked pursuant to Section 27 of R.A. 4136 and he is perpetually disqualified from securing a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle,” it added.

The Department of Justice has also issued an Immigration lookout bulletin order against Sanvicente to monitor if he would attempt to leave the country.

Complaints for frustrated murder and abandonment of one's own victim have been filed against the SUV owner. —AOL, GMA News