CITY OF MALOLOS — A minor was seriously injured when an ambulance owned by the city government of Malolos got involved in an accident on Saturday in Calumpit town.

Report reaching Col. Relly Arnedo, Bulacan police director, said the ambulance is a white Toyota Hi Ace commuter van with license plate NFE 2451 owned by the City Government of Malolos that was used in an unofficial function.

As these developed, the City Government of Malolos released an official statement on the incident.

It said the accident occurred on the afternoon of January 13 (Saturday), where an ambulance owned by the Local Government of the City of Malolos was involved in an accident along the Calumpit-Pulilan Road, Brgy. Pungo, Calumpit, Bulacan.

The victim, who is a minor, was hit by the said ambulance and is now in critical condition in a private hospital in the City of Malolos.

Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad promptly initiated a formal investigation into the incident. He requested the Calumpit PNP to detain Allan Santos, a 35-year-old single resident of Malolos, who is the driver of the ambulance. Notably, Santos is not an employee and has no connection to the City Government of Malolos. Additionally, the mayor ordered the detention of Noel Araneta, a nurse from the City Health Office of Malolos, at the custodial facility of the Malolos PNP.

Santos faces charges for reckless imprudence resulting to serious physical injuries while Araneta is facing charges for malversation (Art. 217 RPC) and usurpation of official functions (Art. 177 RPC).

Other employees of the City Health Office are also under investigation for their negligence of duty. This pertains to the inappropriate use of a vehicle owned by the city government for unofficial purposes. The circulating video clearly shows that the vehicle was utilized for personal travel by these individuals.

It added that anyone found to be involved in negligence will be liable to the law.

Meanwhile, the City Administrator, City Legal, City Health Office, CDRRMO and Malolos PNP have been attentive to the needs of the family for the support that the Government of Malolos can provide either in terms of expenses or legal needs. All this is for the immediate attainment of justice for the victim and his family.

Photo: Malolos City Information Office