AFTER 10 days of stalling, the driver of the sports utility vehicle that ran over a security guard in Mandaluyong City last week surrendered yesterday at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame, apologized to his victim, and was allowed to go home.
Jose Antonio “Anton” San Vicente, accompanied by his parents and his lawyer, appeared before PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. to air his side in the hit-and-run incident.
“My apologies for what happened, my apologies to Mr. (Christian) Floralde and his family,” San Vicente said in a press briefing with Danao.
Police filed charges against “Antonio San Vicente Sr.” before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutors Office last June 6, a day after the incident, for frustrated murder and abandonment of one’s victim.
Police said they filed the charges against San Vicente Sr. because he was presumed to be the driver, he being the registered owner of the vehicle (Toyota Rav4-NCO 3781) that figured in the mishap. Police said they later learned the vehicle was driven by the son, Antonio Vicente Jr.
It turned out the father’s real name is Joel San Vicente and his son’s name is Jose Antonio San Vicente.
Jose said he had clarified this to policemen who went to interview him after the incident.
“The vehicle is registered to Jose Antonio. I bought it for him,” the father said.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, meanwhile, said he has ordered the inclusion of the suspect in the BI’s alert system after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra issued a Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against him.
Floralde was directing traffic at the intersection of J. Vargas and Saint Francis Streets in Barangay Wack Wack last June 5 when he signaled the SUV to stop but the driver ignored him, ran him over, and sped off. Floralde, who has checked out of the hospital and is recuperating at home, said last Tuesday that he intends to pursue charges against Jose.
Asked what he was thinking when he ran over the security guard, Jose said: “I cannot remember. As I said, I was not thinking right at that time.”
He also said he is not using illegal drugs, reacting to Danao’s remarks a few days ago that the driver refused to surrender because he might be a drug addict.
“No, I am not using (illegal drugs),” Jose said, adding a drug test to confirm his statement would depend on the advice of his lawyer, Danny Macalino.
Macalino said his client’s supposed use of illegal drugs is not related to the case, adding that Jose panicked during the incident.
“He has already apologized for what has happened. He did not want the incident to happen,” Macalino said, adding the San Vicente family is not condoning the action of Jose.
He said Jose surfaced to tell his story “and extend his apology to the public.”
“I told his parents that he should show up and surrender the SUV that he drove (during the incident),” said Macalino.
The vehicle is now under the custody of the police.
Jose’s mother said her son surrendered because they were scared by the warning issued by Danao when he called for the driver to surrender.
Danao said Jose was probably rattled during the incident, adding: “Instead of stopping to help his victim, he escaped.” He added that Jose may have fled out of fear, noting the victim was armed.
“Today, we are very fortunate that our call for him to come out in the open to address the matters at hand was granted,” Danao said.
Danao said the case is considered “closed,” noting that charges have been filed against the suspect who “voluntarily gave up to clear the matters at hand.”
Danao said it’s up to the prosecutor’s office and the courts to give updates on the case and “we (PNP) do not want to further comment because it might prejudice” the case. — With Ashzel Hachero and Christian Oineza
