Father of girl in hit and run allegedly beaten to death by friends of rider in Muntinlupa

A hit and run in Muntinlupa City turned fatal after the father of the girl in the accident was allegedly beaten to death by the motorcycle rider and his friends.

In an exclusive 24 Oras report by Emil Sumangil on Monday, CCTV footage caught the father cursing and running after the rider who fled after hitting his seven-year-old daughter.

However, when the victim reached the other end of the street, a group of men who were reportedly friends of the rider chased him instead.

CCTV footage captured the group in pursuit, but the actual attack on the victim occurred where there were no cameras.

Based on the investigation by the Muntinlupa City Police, the victim was caught and cornered by the group. Initial reports indicated that he had merely fallen and hit his head, but investigators later found that he was beaten to death.

“Nung unang report samin is allegedly, nabagok lang ito dun sa pagtakbo niya, but then with thorough investigation it turned out na pinalo pala, pinalo na ng mga suspek itong biktima po natin,” Muntinlupa Chief of Police P/Colonel Olivia Ancheta said.

(Our initial report suggested he allegedly fell and hit his head while running, but a thorough investigation revealed that the suspects actually beat up our victim.)

Police said instead of stopping, the rider allegedly committed a hit-and-run and sped off toward the end of the street where he lives, leading to the victim being cornered.

Authorities identified the victim as 31-year-old Richard Escaros, a construction worker.

Responders managed to rush him to the hospital, but passed away later on. Meanwhile, his daughter survived and is now in stable condition.

Escaros’ brother said they do not believe he simply fell, citing a significant finding in his autopsy report.

"Hindi po ako naniniwalang nabagok e. Ang lumabas sa autopsy, basag po ‘yung bungo. Ang sabi naman po sa autopsy, pinalo nga daw po siya ng matigas na bagay,” said Rogelio Escaros Jr., the victim’s brother.

(I don't believe he just fell and hit his head. The autopsy showed his skull was fractured. According to the autopsy, he was struck with a hard object.)

"Siya na po ang hinabol pabalik ng mga maraming kabataan. Hindi na po nakunan ng CCTV doon, bumulagta na po ‘yung kapatid ko. Pagdating po namin doon, nangingisay na. Ang sabi daw po pinalo ng matigas na bagay,” he added.

(A crowd of young men ended up chasing him back. The CCTV didn't catch it, but my brother collapsed. When we arrived at the scene, he was already having seizures. They said he was hit with a hard object.)

Police said eyewitnesses helped them identify the rider and his fellow suspects who were allegedly involved in the attack.

“Mula po doon sa ating mga witnesses na nagmalasakit sa biktima ay na-file-an na po natin ‘yung tatlong suspect po dito ng murder. Pinag tulong-tulungan po nila itong victim po natin. Pinagpapalo nila, pinagsusuntok. So talagang may intensyon po na patayin ang ating biktima,” Ancheta said.

(Based on witnesses who helped the victim, we have already filed murder charges against the three suspects. They ganged up on our victim, beating and punching him. So there was a clear intent to kill.)

The victim’s brother urged the suspects to surrender to authorities so justice could be served for his sibling's death.

He also appealed for assistance for the bereaved family, noting that his brother left behind three young children.

"Sa mga gumawa sa kapatid ko, pakiusap lang, sumuko na kayo. Kung 'di kayo susuko magtatago kayo, wala rin naman eh, walang mangyayari, bigay na lang natin yung hustisya sa kapatid ko,” Rogelio said.

(To those who did this to my brother, please surrender. Hiding won't do any good, nothing will come of it. Just give justice to my brother.)

"Maliliit pa po yun, tatlo 'yung naiwan. Wala naman pong hanapbuhay 'yung asawa. Ang kapatid ko lang po yung naghahanapbuhay...kaya sa mga gustong tumulong, 'yun lang po ang pinapakiusap ko,” he added.

(The kids are still so young; he left three children behind. His wife has no job, and my brother was the sole breadwinner... so to those who want to help, that is all I am asking for.) —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/RF, GMA News