By ALEX GALANG | June 25, 2026

OLONGAPO CITY — The family of a tricycle driver who died following a road crash here last April has filed a civil suit against the driver of a truck trailer involved in the incident and the logistics company that employed him.

Josefa Arcilla Estigoy, sister of the victim Jerry Zantua Arcilla, filed a complaint before the Municipal Trial Court in Subic, Zambales on Wednesday, June 24, to seek actual, moral, and litigation damages against Kernel Hector E. Macapagal and Aim High Philippines Logistics Inc.

According to the complaint, Arcilla died on April 23, 2026, after a vehicular collision in Olongapo City involving the tricycle that he was driving and a truck trailer bearing Plate No. NLF 6023 allegedly operated by Macapagal.

The complaint stated that Arcilla was rushed to the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital following the accident, but later succumbed to a traumatic brain injury reportedly sustained during the crash.

The plaintiff alleged that on April 24, 2026, a day after the incident, Macapagal executed an Affidavit of Undertaking in which he agreed to shoulder expenses arising from the victim’s death.

Based on the same undertaking, Estigoy reportedly signed an Affidavit of Settlement expressing her intention not to pursue a complaint against the driver.

However, the complaint claimed that Macapagal subsequently failed to comply with the terms of the undertaking, prompting the family to seek legal remedies.

The suit further argued that Aim High Philippines Logistics Inc., identified in the complaint as Macapagal’s employer and the owner or lessee of the vehicle involved, should likewise be held liable under the doctrine of vicarious liability, also known as respondeat superior, since the driver was allegedly acting within the scope of his employment at the time of the accident.

Estigoy is seeking P221,000 in actual damages representing funeral, burial, hospital, and related expenses incurred by the family.

She is also asking the court to award at least P200,000 in moral damages, citing emotional suffering, sleepless nights, and wounded feelings resulting from her brother’s death.

In addition, the plaintiff is seeking attorney’s fees amounting to P50,000, appearance fees of P3,000 for every court hearing, and reimbursement of litigation expenses.

The complaint stated that demand letters were sent to both Macapagal and the logistics company before the filing of the case but went unanswered.

As of press time, no statement had been issued by the defendants, including driver Macapagal and Aim High Philippines Logistics Inc., reportedly owned by the Maningding family, regarding the allegations raised in the lawsuit. ▲