“TULOY ANG KASO” SECURITY GUARD WILL PURSUE CASE AGAINST THE DRIVER OF THE WHITE SUV

“Hindi ako magpapa-areglo. Itutuloy ko ang kaso laban sa sumagasa sa akin. Nagpalabas ako ng video para pasalamatan ang mga tumulong at nagdasal para sa aking kaligtasan.”

This is the  latest statement given by the security guard, who was ran over by a white SUV last week , to Bitag Media Network (BMN).

Cristian Floralde, discharged already from the hospital, told BMN that there’s no truth on the information being circulated that he’s ready for amicable settlement.

“ Kahit ako isang kahig, isang tuka lamang, mayroon akong dignidad. Ilalaban ko ang kaso dahil naniniwala ako sa ating hukuman,’ Floralde told BITAG.

Last June 9, Manny Fayre, owner of Raptor Security Agency, updated BITAG that Christian Floralde has been discharged from the hospital.

BITAG also received a copy of the recorded video message from the security agency owner.

Floralde, firstly expressed his gratitude towards those who helped him, mentioning Ben Tulfo and his public service program – BITAG.

“Masama pa rin ang loob ko sa ginawa niya sa akin. Tinakbuhan niya ako. Hindi man lang siya tumigil bagkus ay iniwanan ako. Pero may Diyos tayo na marunong magpatawad. Diyos na ho ang bahala sa kanya.” Floralde said in the video.

Because of the said video, netizens hope that Floralde won’t agree to any kind of settlement.

The incident started after dashcam video went viral showing how a white SUV hit and ran over a security guard who was manning the traffic along Julia Vargas Ave., in Mandaluyong City.  

Netizens were quick to tag “BITAG” and “Bitag Live” on the video.

The day after, June 6, the Search and Response Team of BITAG was able to obtain the name of the security guard through the help of the owner of Raptor Security Agency, where he is currently assigned as a Security Enforcer.

Manny Fayre said that the victim was Christian Floralde, 31 years old, who at that time was currently under observation in an intensive care unit at VRP Medical Center in Mandaluyong.

In less than 24 hours, the BITAG Team was able to talked to the victim.

Security Guard Christian Floralde, although in pain, granted BITAG for an Exclusive interview online.

“Ang gusto ko lang ma-trace yung nakabangga sa akin, sana hindi na lang niya ako tinakbuhan.” Floralde told BITAG.

Aside from contacting the victim and the security agency, simultaneously, BITAG was also in coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and authorities from Mandaluyong Police Station.

On June 6, the LTO issued a show cause order against the registered owner of the white SUV involved in the incident, however, in a separate radio interview, LTO said that they cannot reveal the identity of registered owner because of the Data Privacy Law. 

Many were furious and aghast over the LTO’s statement.

Ben Tulfo, in his daily news analysis program,  BITAG Live, aired at PTV 4 was ‘‘mad.”

The veteran broadcaster cannot understand ang fathomed the manner how the Mandaluyong police handled and investigated the incident.

In his live interview with BITAG’s Resident Lawyer Atty. Batas Mauricio, stressed that all necessary information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect should not be withheld to the interest of the public.

“Hindi pwede sabihin ng Land Transportation Office na hindi nila pwede ilabas ang impormasyon tungkol sa sasakyan, sangkot po sa krimen. Kitang-kita at viral video, kung sangkot sa krimen mayroon silang tungkulin na isiwalat sa publiko ang mga impormasyon na may kinalaman dyan,” Atty. Batas said during his interview with Ben Tulfo. 

Ben Tulfo also pointed out that the principle of hot pursuit should have been performed by the Mandaluyong police considering its 24-hour time limit.  

Meanwhile, Ben Tulfo lambasted the driver of the vehicle who abandoned Floralde in the street right after the incident.

“Ako bwisit nang makita ko! Imposible naman na hindi naramdaman eh, sinagasaan ka at hindi man lang siya bumaba. Hindi man lang chineck bagkus tumuloy-tuloy at iniwan ka na,” Ben Tulfo told  Christian Floralde, in an exclusive interview via online.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77vaDJorXRE

BITAG is closely monitoring the safety and welfare of the Security Guard.

In a phone patch interview, BITAG consulted with Atty. Batas Mauricio, the program’s resident lawyer.

Atty. Batas discussed that there is a possibility of a settlement in cases like this.

“Maliwanag sa ilalim ng mga umiiral na batas sa Pilipinas bahagi ng prosesong legal ang pagkakaroon ng areglo. Ibig sabihin magkakasundo yung biktima at yung nambiktima na tapusin na ang kanilang usapin at magkakasundo na lang sila.” Atty. Batas told BITAG 

But Atty. Batas personally thinks that the victim should still pursue criminal charges against the driver.

“Huwag magpa-areglo, itinutuloy ko po ang aking payong ‘yun. Bakit? Una, hindi tayo nakakatiyak na hindi siya babalikan pagkatapos ng mga pangyayari … magbbigay din ito ng proteksyon doon sa nabiktima.” Atty. Batas stressed.

As of this writing, for the second time, the driver of the SUV involved in the incident failed to show up after two show-cause orders issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).