“I’m warning you Mr. San Vicente, kung marunong kang umintindi sa sinasabi ko, sana huwag umabot sa puntong maging Santo Vicente ka (if you understand what I’m saying, I hope it won’t reach to the point where you will become a Saint Vicente).”
This was the direct warning of Police Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., PNP officer-in-charge, to the registered owner of the sports utility vehicle (SUV) that got involved in a viral hit-and-run incident in Madaluyong City two weeks ago, implying of dire consequences if he continues to refuse to surrender.
Danao, in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday, June 13, revealed that the owner of the white Toyota RAV4 (plate number NCO 3781), identified by the Mandaluyong City Police as Jose Antonio San Vicente, had a previous record for reckless driving at the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
“This is not the first time that he has a case of reckless imprudence so mayroon na ito (he has ) according to LTO,” Danao said.
However, Danao could not present further details on the previous case of San Vicente.
The lawyers of the San Vicente family reportedly argued that it was not Jose Antonio who was the owner of the SUV but his father, whose identity remains unknown to authorities.
The lawyers reportedly said that it was only Jose Antonio who was driving the vehicle when the incident happened last June 5, and the suspect opted not to reveal himself for fear of “public humiliation.”
Danao blasted the San Vicente family’s alleged reasoning as he insisted that the suspect should “man up” and face the charges filed against him. He even accused the suspect of being a drug suspect for his failure to cooperate to authorities.
“Regardless if it’s the father or the son, nakabangga ka ng tao at imbes na hintuan mo lalo mo pang sinagasaan. Anong klaseng utak ‘yan? (You bumped a human being and instead of stopping, you tried to kill him. What kind of mentality is that)?” Danao said.
“ natural courses of a decent man who is in his right senses definitely surrender immediately. Bakit ‘di sumurrender? Ikaw ay china-challenge ko, Mr. San Vicente. Ayaw mo sumurrender tama? Isa lang ang sasabihin ko sayo, baka adik ka (Why didn’t you surrender? I am challenging you, Mr. San Vicente. You don’t want to surrender, right? There is only one thing that I will say to you, you might be an addict),” he added.
“Baka gumagamit ka kaya ayaw mo sumurrender? (Maybe you are a drug user that’s why you don’t want to surrender?) Remember, the PNP already filed the cases against you. You take note, kapag lumabas warrant mo, hintayin mo lumabas warrant mo (Just wait until the warrant of arrest for you is released.) I’m giving you a fair warning habang maaga (until it’s still early),” the PNP OIC continued.
Mandaluyong City Police chief, Police Col. Gauvin Unos said they filed cases for frustrated murder and abandonment of one’s own victim against San Vicente for bumping and leaving security guard Christian Floralde.
The raps were filed before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office last June 6.
Danao also urged the LTO to revoke the license of San Vicente, saying it should have been suspended the first time that he had a reckless driving case.
“Driver’s license is only a privilege, it is not our right. Kahit ako, if you abuse it dapat i-revoke (Even for me, if you abuse it, then it should be revoked). Are we going to wait na kayo ang babanggain ng taong ito? (Are we going to wait until it’s one of you who will be hit by this person?)” Danao said.