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Family of Ateneo accident victim mulls hold departure order vs suspect


MANILA, Philippines - The family of Julian Carlo Miguel "Amiel" Alcantara, the Grade 4 student who was killed by a speeding van last week, said they would ask for the issuance of a hold departure order against the suspect to prevent her from leaving the country. In her exclusive report in GMA News' "24 Oras," Mariz Umali said Amiel's father, Jose Fernando, has never heard from suspect Ma. Theresa Torres after she posted bail last week. "I don't see her here so she must be hiding somewhere," Mr. Alcantara said. The Alcantaras' counsels said they wanted to make sure that Torres would remain in the country for the investigation. “We do plan to file a motion for the issuance of a hold departure order against Ms. Torres just to ensure that she stays," said lawyer Rafael Aquino, one of the Alcantaras' counsels. The report quoted Torres’ legal counsel as saying that his client has no plans to hide or leave the country. He was also quoted as saying that Torres was traumatized by the accident but assured that she woud face the charges against her. Amiel, 10, was killed after he was pinned down by the Toyota Hi-Ace van driven by Torres inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus Tuesday last week. In her sworn statement, Torres blamed the accident to her vehicle’s faulty brakes. She said her van was only running at 5 to 10 kilometer per hour. But the camp of the Alcantaras refused to buy Torres' claim. Lawyer Ernesto Caluya Jr. said they are even mulling on filing a homicidal, murder and perjury charges against the suspect for her alleged false testimony. "We are not about ready to concede that this is sheer recklessness on her part. These statements of her, first, were made in a sworn statement before the police. These are definitely lies and can even be the basis of charge of perjury against her," Caluya said. As of press, formal complaint of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injuries have been lodged against Torres. Torres had earlier issued her apology to the victim’s family, but Mr. Alcantara said forgiveness is not something that would happen overnight. “Hindi puwedeng sabihin mo nalang 'pasensya na po kayo napatay ko ang anak niyo dahil aksidente.' Hindi maari 'yun [You cannot just say ‘I am sorry I killed your son in an accident.’ That can’t be.”],” Mr. Alcantara said. Amiel's remains were cremated last Saturday. - GMANews.TV
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