Ian De Leon praised for helping child hit by motorcycle

An actor who was in the right place and in the right time—and who did the right thing—is being hailed as a hero.

Kristine Madrigal Sarmiento's 10-year-old son was biking on Aguirre Avenue, Parañaque City on the evening of March 21 (Monday) when he was hit by a motorcycle.

In a phone interview with GMA News Online, Sarmiento said that though her son was calling for help, bystanders and pedestrians were initially indifferent to his distress.

Ian De Leon, son of actors Nora Aunor and Christopher De Leon, witnessed the event unfold from a nearby Shakey's and went out to attend to the young boy. He  carried the boy to his car and drove him to the Las Piñas Doctors Hospital.

Before leaving the scene of the accident, Sarmiento said that De Leon also managed to go after the rider who hit her son and had him held at Robinsons Place Las Piñas.

At the hospital, Sarmiento said that De Leon stayed with her son until members of the family arrived. De Leon also helped tend to the boy's wounds.

"Marami talagang dugo, ayaw tumigil magdugo nung sugat," Sarmiento said. When they arrived, De Leon left to talk to the rider back at Robinsons Place. Sarmiento was not informed about the identity of the Good Samaritan.

"Noong una hindi namin alam na si Ian De Leon pala ang tumulong, pero gusto talaga naming hanapin kung sino. Kahit naman hindi sikat na tao, malaking ang tinulong sa anak ko," Sarmiento said, "Imagine, he helped my son and even used his car. Ang daming dugo noon. My son also told me na kinakausap siya ni Ian De Leon papuntang hospital—he was treated very well."

Thanks to De Leon's actions, Sarmiento was able to speak with the rider who hit her son. The rider, a security guard working in Makati, apologized to Sarmiento.

"Pinatawad ko nalang kasi wala namang mangyayari kahit sampahan ko ng kaso or ipakulong ko," Sarmiento said, "Security guard lang siya sa isang call center in Makati. Walang sense kung ipakulong ko pa."

Sarmiento's son is currently recuperating and under observation. Doctors are monitoring the skin on his leg, which had turned black because of the accident.

Sarmiento said that she has gotten in touch with De Leon, but that they have not scheduled a day to meet. She said that she prefers to meet with him privately, without any media coverage, to thank him for his deed. — BM, GMA News