Hit and run victim still waits for justice

MANILA, Philippines – Aldy Ouano never thought he would ever be involved in a hit-and-run incident.

But in one July evening, the accountant became one of the many hit-and-run victims in the Philippines. Ouano and his friends were on their way home when his car was hit by a light gray Hyundai sedan at the corner of Baco and Calamba streets in Barangay Salvacion, Quezon City.

Luckly, all 4 passengers were left unhurt. (READ: Hit and run: What to do next)

Ouano said he immediately got out of his car to get the plate number of the vehicle that hit them, but the Hyundai was no longer in sight. The vehicle’s front license plate, however, got detached and was retrieved by Ouano.

“Thanks to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for those flimsy plates. They even have benefits, apparently,” Ouano posted on Facebook. (READ: Corruption at LTO, LTFRB)

A police report was filed the next day, while an affidavit of complaint was filed with the LTO a week later. An insurance claim has also been filed and is currently being processed.

Nearly a month after the hit-and-run incident, however, Ouano still awaits justice.

‘No justice’

In August, a mediation conference was conducted by the officials of Barangay NS Amoranto in Quezon City between Ouano and the 19-year-old suspect. However, nothing was resolved during the meeting.

The 19-year-old claimed he was the aggrieved party. The suspect’s girlfriend, according to Ouano, even tried to intimidate him by boasting that her father was a military general.

No further communication took place after that meeting, leaving the matter unresolved.

“It really makes me sad that, in this country, it’s who you know, and not what you know that matters more,” Ouano said. “But I still believe that there are still people out there who live by their principles and do what is right, even when no one is watching.” 

Despite the hassle, Ouano intends to pursue the matter, even if it appears to be a waiting game, as he is convinced that he is in the right. 

“All I want is for them to man up and be responsible for their actions,” he added.

Although hit-and-run incidents have been decreasing over the years, the figures remain alarming, the 2015 National Statistics Office reported. – Rappler.com

To report hit and run incidents within Metro Manila, you may contact the PNP NCR-PO Tactical Operations Center at 838-3203 or 0999-901-7181. You may also report them to any police station nearest the incident.