Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 25) — Netizens rallied behind a detained truck driver involved in a road mishap that led to the death of a teenage boy.
On Friday, CNN Philippines’ The Service Road host James Deakin posted about 48-year-old truck driver Teddy Gotis on his Facebook page, where he used the hashtag #FreeMangTedy.
According to a police report, Gotis was on his way to deliver oil to a gasoline station along National Road, Brgy. Putatan, Muntinlupa City on Wednesday.
Gotis said a fast-driving motorcycle cut through, which then crashed against the side of his truck.
Muntinlupa City Police said the motorcycle rider, whose head was crushed in the accident, was a 16-year-old boy with no helmet and under the influence of alcohol.
Police arrested Gotis for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, for which he could be jailed for up to four years.
He was, however, let go on Thursday after reaching an “amicable settlement” with the victim’s family.
Muntinlupa Police traffic investigator SPO1 Zandro Quijote said Ggdm Red movers Corp. paid the victim’s family around P200,000 to P250,000.
Deakin said Gotis “was immediately arrested for reckless imprudence resulting in death simply because our laws, or the misapplication and interpretation of it, automatically holds the bigger vehicle or uninjured party liable for someone else’s stupidity and irresponsibility.”
Deakin’s Facebook post had been shared over 195,000 times, and had over 212,000 reactions as of posting time.
Deakin updated the post upon learning of Gotis being freed, but still urged netizens to be vigilant for similar incidents.
In the post’s comments section, netizens came to the defense of the truck driver, saying it was wrong for him to have been detained.
Poyie Guarin said, “This is insane. I watched this driver and he was apologizing to the family of this reckless boy who chose to drink and drive to buy a pack of cigarette.”
Vincent Ryan Vitug, meanwhile, said the minor’s parents should be held responsible.
“The parents of the minor rider should be held accountable for letting their son drink alcohol and going out on wee hours of the night,” Vitug said.
Lito Villegas said the police did the wrong thing in arresting Gotis.
“Actually, mali yung ginawa ng mga police. Dapat kasuhan ang police dyan sa PNP-IAS (Internal Affairs Service) for unlawful arrest. Dapat kinuhanan ng statements pati na witnesses and ininquest yan sa Prosecutor. Yung prosecutor ang mag determine ng charges,” he said.
[Translation: Actually, what the police did was wrong. They should be filed a case with the PNP-IAS for unlawful arrest. They should have taken the statement of witnesses and subjected him for inquest with the Prosecutor. The Prosecutor will determine the charges.]
