By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A father grew emotional after learning that the homicide case filed against an Ilonggo busker and online personality was dismissed by the Capiz Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for lack of merit.
In a media interview on Tuesday, January 14, Tatay Atong expressed outrage over the dismissal of the case against Clyde Ortencio.
The Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Capiz cleared Ortencio of criminal liability in connection with a road crash that occurred on November 24, 2024, along the national highway in Barangay Bitoon Ilaya, Cuartero, Capiz.
The incident claimed the lives of a 2-month-old infant and her 20-year-old mother.
An eight-page resolution obtained by the Daily Guardian revealed that the prosecutor’s office dismissed the case due to the complainant’s failure to establish prima facie evidence for the charges of reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide.
In a statement, Ortencio extended his sympathies to the victims’ family and said he waited “until the family had space to grieve and the investigation concluded before addressing the recent accident.”
“I ask everyone to focus on verified facts rather than mere speculation. Nevertheless, it was an accident that no one wanted to happen, and I believe that we are all victims of this circumstance,” he said.
“I hope we can all learn from this experience and work together to prevent similar incidents in the future. Thank you for your time and understanding,” he concluded.
Tatay Atong, the father of the 20-year-old woman and grandfather of the 2-month-old infant, said he plans to appeal the prosecutor’s decision.
“I-appeal namon ang desisyon sang prosecutor para mahatagan hustisya ang akon bata kag apo, galing wala kami kwarta bayad sa abogado,” he said. (We will appeal the prosecutor’s decision to seek justice for my child and grandchild, but we don’t have the money to pay for a lawyer.)
He also confirmed that Ortencio had previously offered a settlement, but the family failed to provide receipts for all their expenses, as the victims had not been buried at the time.
“Wala na, nalubong na ang bata kag apo ko subong pa lang sa nangayo pasensya,” Tatay Atong said. (It’s too late. My child and grandchild have already been buried before he asked for forgiveness.)
Leomar Gellangarin, the husband of the 20-year-old victim and driver of the tricycle involved in the crash, has yet to comment on the case.
