Manila, Philippines - A driver of Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. ran over a 14-year-old boy and his father in Malate, Manila yesterday morning.
Witnesses said Eduardo Herrera, 50, was driving a Mitsubishi Adventure (WSW-194) along Osmeña Highway when he hit Joshua Danao and his father, painter Rolando Danao, as the victims were crossing the highway at around 6:15 a.m.
The boy was dragged 50 meters away from the point of impact. His body was turned over to the Saint Harold Memorial Chapels. The elder Danao was brought to the Philippine General Hospital for treatment.
Herrera and Chariz Cudiamat, who occupied the front passenger seat, had just come from a party and were drunk at the time of the accident, police said. He reportedly tried to flee but was later arrested by Police Officer 1 Rafael Boco Jr. of the Manila Police District (MPD).
A report by SPO3 Marco Saunar stated the driver’s name as Herrera, though other reports give his name as Eduardo Hernandez. The driver said the traffic light was green when the accident occurred.
Herrera was armed with a .45 caliber pistol, for which he had a gun license and a permit to carry it outside his residence. He surrendered the gun and its papers to the MPD, while the Adventure he was driving was seized by the police.
Binay’s media relations officer, Joey Salgado, said Herrera will have to face charges, which investigators said are reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injuries.
“He is a former driver of Vice President (Jejomar) Binay and is now a driver of Mayor Binay. Based on a report to us, he was off duty at the time of the accident and he brought the victims to the hospital,” Salgado said in a text message.
He said the Makati mayor will “extend assistance” to the victims’ family.
– With Mike Frialde - By Sandy Araneta
