GMA escort in accident released

By Liam Anacleto

SAN ISIDRO, Nueva Ecija – An Army soldier who drove a truck that formed part of President Arroyo’s convoy here on Sept. 12 and which figured in a vehicular accident that led to the death of a sexagenarian and serious injuries to another, has been freed on bail.

Sgt. Joel Sumahit, who had been detained at the police stockade in this town was ordered released by Judge Dorentino Floresta of the Gapan City Regional Trial Court Branch 35 after posting a bail bond of P30,000.

Sumahit was arrested after the Army truck he was driving as part of the convoy of Ms Arroyo and the Presidential Security Group figured in a four-vehicle smash-up along the Gapan-Olongapo Road here Friday.

Ms Arroyo flew here that day, her second in 10 days, to inaugurate a P100-million bridge named after her father’s ally, the late Sen. Gaudencio Antonino, and to attend the birthday of the latter’s son, fourth district Rep. Rodolfo Antonino.

The vehicular accident took place in Barangay Poblacion when the Army truck hit the tricycle driven by Ron-ron Tecson, which in turn smashed into a Suzuki Shogun and another tricycle.

Mayor Sonia Lorenzo told local media Tecson remains in critical condition with his doctors advising that he be transferred to a hospital in Metro Manila. Insp. Armando Cruz, acting municipal police chief, said provincial prosecutor Floro Florendo has also ordered the Army truck released.

Lorenzo said Malacañang has kept its word that it would shoulder all the expenses of the victims, including the studies of a son of one of them.

The mishap happened a few days after the PSG reportedly figured in a similar accident in Nueva Vizcaya.