By JEN BAYLON
The camp of the truck driver involved in a road accident is alleging possible bias in the police investigation.
Atty. Ariel Caldit, legal counsel for truck driver Romer Estrada, expressed concern over what he described as “preferential treatment” given to 57-year-old retired Police General Lope Ma Lim.
Estrada, 51 years old, a resident of Sitio Balogo in Negros Occidental’s Talisay City, was involved in a minor road accident, which occurred around noon on Friday, April 4, on the Alijis-Murcia Road in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mansilingan.
Estrada was reportedly detained at Police Station 7, and later brought to the Bacolod Hall of Justice (HOJ) at 11:30 p.m. beyond office hours on Friday.
He was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in slight physical injuries and damage to property.
Caldit claimed that police did not listen to Estrada’s side of the story, and questioned why a relatively minor case with a light penalty was immediately filed at the HOJ in the middle of the night.
“Clearly, the police favored the ex-general without giving the accused a chance to be heard,” Caldit said in an interview with dyHB RMN.
Estrada was later released on P3,000 bail.
However, he was rushed to the hospital later that night due to a sudden decline in his condition, reportedly brought on by the stress of the situation.
According to Caldit, the truck was traveling from Murcia on the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway when Lim’s motorcycle attempted to overtake from behind.
Caldit claims that Lim’s motorcycle struck the truck, but Lim alleged that Estrada’s vehicle cut him off while turning, causing the collision.
Lim, a resident of Sorsogon, was in Bacolod to attend the National Convention of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines.
According to Lim’s affidavit, his BMW B1200 motorcycle was part of a convoy traveling from Murcia town to Mansilingan.
He claimed he was occupying the inner right lane when Estrada, who was in the outer right lane, suddenly made a left turn, hitting the right side of his motorcycle’s utility box.
The impact caused Lim to lose control and crash into a barrier.
The damage to the motorcycle was estimated at P387,000, based on his affidavit.
Lim reportedly sustained physical injuries.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City Police Office Director Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica noted that the police must process the case if the complainant is determined to pursue it.
Despite efforts for an agreement between the parties, Lim decided to file charges against Estrada./JB, WDJ