The Cebu City Traffic Office (CCTO) has released the mother accused of pushing her one-year-old boy who fell on the pavement and was run over by a Sports Utility Vehicle along New Imus Road in Cebu City on Monday morning.
Joy Tumulak, CCTO operations head, said they could no longer hold Vicky Ginoo in custody because no one went to their office to execute an affidavit against her.
Witnesses earlier told CCTO personnel that Vicky was drinking liquor at a roadside store along the New Imus Road about 11 a.m. on Monday when his son, John Mark, went after her.
Vicky reported pushed her son away but the boy kept following her.
Irritated, Vicky reportedly pushed the boy harder that he fell on the pavement and was run over by a passing Isuzu Alterra driven by Melquiades Obtina.
The vehicle’s front wheel severed the head of the boy who would have turned three on Aug. 16.
“We held her in custody until 5 p.m. but no one came to our office to execute an affidavit (against her), putting it into writing that the boy was pushed by his mother which led to his death,” Tumulak said.
In the absence of witnesses, Tumulak said they could not hold Vicky liable for John Mark’s death.
Tumulak said that while Vicky was reeking of liquor when brought to their office, she denied that she had been drinking.
Vicky, 36, instead blamed Obtina for John Mark’s death.
She told CCTO investigators that Obtina may not have seen her small son cross the street.
Tumulak said they would continue to hold custody of Obtina pending lapse of the 24-hour reglamentary period.
Obtina, he said, also expressed willingness to amicably settle with the boy’s family and shoulder the burial expenses.