82-year-old churchgoer dead in hit-and-run in Laguna

An 82-year-old woman who was crossing the pedestrian lane on her way to church died in a hit-and-run incident in Alaminos, Laguna, according to Jun Veneracion’s exclusive report on “24 Oras” Friday. 

Based on the investigation, victim Yolanda Cuenca was crossing a pedestrian lane to join a fiesta procession in Barangay San Andres when a speeding SUV hit her early Thursday. 

Cuenca was dragged for at least 20 meters but instead of stopping to help her, the SUV driver escaped and left the elderly victim. 

The tragic incident was caught in CCTV footage. 

“Sana naman po makunsensya sya sa mama ko kasi hindi biro ginawa nya tapos iniwan nya hindi man lang nya hinintuan,” the victim’s daughter, Flossie Cuenca, tearfully said. 

(I hope his conscience will haunt him with what he did to our mother. He hit her and then fled.)

Sharon Cuenca, the victim’s child, added: “Parang wala po talagang awa ‘yung ginawa nya talaga. Parang daga o pusa lang sinagasaan nya”.

(He was so cruel with what he did.)

Police said they are now looking for other CCTV videos as the license plate of the involved vehicle was not shown in the available footage. 

Meanwhile, authorities said the suspect will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and abandonment of one’s victim. 

“Hindi po kami titigil hanggat hindi napapanagot sa kaso na ito ng hit-and-run,” said Alaminos MPS Chief Police Major Serafin Gapunuan. 

(We will not stop until we bring justice to the victim.)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the Maharlika Highway in the portion of Alaminos was an accident-prone area, with one to two major road incidents reported in the thoroughfare every week.

In September, a mother and child who were crossing the pedestrian lane were hit by a van. The mother died in the incident. 

“Lumawak po yung kalsada so yung mga sasakyan akala nila maluwag kaya ang bibilis nila magpatakbo,” said Gapunuan. 

(The road was widened so motorists think they can speed up.)—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News