By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The driver involved in the deadly hit-and-run in Barangay Mandalagan surrendered to Police Station 3 (PS3) after spending over 24 hours in hiding.

PS3 traffic investigator, Police Officer 2 (PO2) Richard Demaala, said the suspect, identified as Catherine Rhea Mationg, contacted him late Wednesday night expressing her intent to surrender and face her obligations to the family of the victims.

Demaala said Mationg provided an explanation, saying, she fled out of fear after accidentally striking 44-year-old Dante Lascoña and his son, six-year-old Randel, who were in a pedicab.

He also said, following Mationg’s surrender, the driver met with Lascoña’s live-in partner, Veronica Loredo.

During the talks, Loredo and Mationg agreed no criminal charges will be filed in return for the latter financing the burial of the victims.

Following the talks, Mationg was released and she, along with her husband, immediately proceeded to a funeral parlor in Bacolod City in order to secure the burial needs of the victims.

Local media tried to get a reaction from Mationg upon leaving PS3, however, she refused to give further comment.

Last Wednesday, Lascoña and his son were riding in a pedicab when they were struck by Mationg’s car along Buri Road in Barangay Mandalagan.

It was determined Mationg was trying to overtake another vehicle when the incident occurred./DGB, WDJ