Please, refrain from drunk driving...

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 12:48 am

...I was informed that last week, the 18th of Feb, at least 5 students inside my alma mater's campus (U.P. Diliman) were hit by a speeding wayward BMW driven by a very drunk fellow student.

The university's student body is at an outrage right now because one of the victims, Precious Baldo, died last Saturday. She's a daughter of a humble meter reader and a vegetable vendor from the mountain province of Benguet.

Studying in our country's premiere university gave Precious' family the hope of uplifting them from poverty...

...and most of us are really fired up because of the display of arrogance of this pompous rich kid driver. In our university, this is the kind of person that we really hate.

Poor kid, he has no idea what is in store for him once he somehow gets the chance to go back to school.

For Precious' family, a number of UP alumni are pooling resources to help the bereaved family and the other victims as well.

By a stroke of luck there was a student who had a camera and took pictures just minutes after the accident. I have the website but I'm not so sure if it's appropriate to post it here.

I hope that most of you out there think more than twice before touching that wheel knowing pretty well that you had a drink too many.

Osiris · Post by **Osiris** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 12:53 am

A terrible waste of a young life, Mah.

Will the driver be facing serious charges as a result?

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 1:06 am

Check this one, Osiris.

http://www.inq7.net/met/2003/feb/25/met_5-1.htm

...darn man, a lot of us were thinking how justice would be sweet once this guy ends up in prison and have a part of him perforated by his fellow inmates...

Osiris · Post by **Osiris** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 1:26 am

I hope Ong gets what he deserves.

Bloodmist · Post by **Bloodmist** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 1:29 am

Originally posted by Osiris
I hope Ong gets what he deserves.

I actually hope they sue his pants off... Eventhough it won't help anyone. He deserves it

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 2:57 am

You're a bit too fast.
The problem in being drunk, is that you always think you can handle the situation.
It's the way it works!

What I mean is, punishment has to be proportionated.
And "rich" doesn't necessarily mean "evil". It may mean "arrogant", "unwise", but
none of these terms is implied.
This guy deserves punishment, but if he possess the slightest trace of humanity,
he'll be tormented by the sense of guilt for the rest of his life.
What about people who kill on purpose then?
Why are the ones who killed the two little english girls still alive?
I prefer to preserve my rage for such persons!

A really sad story, though

Really hope that the family will be helped somehow..

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 3:26 am

Who said anything about "evil"?

Originally posted by Littiz
You're a bit too fast.
The problem in being drunk, is that you always think you can handle the situation.
It's the way it works!

What I mean is, punishment has to be proportionated.
And "rich" doesn't necessarily mean "evil". It may mean "arrogant", "unwise", but
none of these terms is implied.
This guy deserves punishment, but if he possess the slightest trace of humanity,
he'll be tormented by the sense of guilt for the rest of his life.
What about people who kill on purpose then?
Why are the ones who killed the two little english girls still alive?
I prefer to preserve my rage for such persons!

A really sad story, though
Really hope that the family will be helped somehow..

...I would understand though about your comment since the link that I gave is that of a leading newspaper. Much more details are in the website that I have, but since there are a lot of cussing there, as well as some bloody images, I don't think it's appropriate to post it publicly.

Of course, nobody wanted this? Who does anyway?

What is not written are eyewitness accounts on how this student and his companions behaved AFTER the incident. It is this display of arrogance and sheer pompousness that this guy showed that really outraged everyone.

After the crash, one of the passengers (if not the driver) was heard muttering "the BMW... the BMW... I'm dead meat... the BMW..."

The driver supposedly even had the nerve to get angry after the incident and even flaunted his affluence by saying things like "talk to my lawyers!" and "kayang sagutin yan ng insurance ko!" (my insurance can handle that) Poor soul.

CM · Post by CM » Wed Feb 26, 2003 3:28 am

Simply put, hang the sodding bastard.

Osiris · Post by **Osiris** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 4:15 am

I assumed something like that when I read your first post about arrogant behaviour, Mah.

The accident is bad enough. The behaviour afterward makes it unforgiveable.

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 4:22 am

To carry on Mah's message

I hope that most of you out there think more than twice before touching that wheel knowing pretty well that you had a drink too many.

Drink driving can be horrible, let me tell you of something that happened to a friend of mine only a few days ago, my friend is still in a state of shock if you must know.

As some of you may know, I often socialise with what can only be described as an assortment of characters, and as a result I tend to have the pleasure of meeting some really stupid people or getting myself involved in some strange events. This friend of mine was involved in a relationship with this really strange guy, and one night when they were having a small drinking session prior to going out clubbing, the guy decided to see if he could ride his high powered motorcycle down the road intoxicated, oh and also without a helmet. To cut a long story short, this once fit young man is now in hospital with internal bleeding, pins and metal plates through out his body, waiting to recieve corrective surgery for his face and I'll doubt he'll walk again, one small moment fuelled by alcohol and his life is changed forever. His girlfriend (my friend), and as well as his family are devasted, I'm shocked although I'll forever maintain the "It was bound to happen eventually..." outlook. That group will learn from this event.

I've never felt comfortable with the stereotype that my generation is one in which binge drinking is highly prevalent but after seeing this guy practically destroy his life, I can only hope that others will think secondly before taking another drink its not worth it frankly.

Askal · Post by **Askal** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 5:33 am

I'm not sure what I'm saying...

I don't condone what Ong did and I particularly detest the things he said after he ran down those kids. However, as much as being drunk can be considered an exacerbating circumstance, it can also mitigate the things he said. I'm saying, he was drunk and may not have been fully aware of the callousness of his statements. Let him pay for his crimes alone and let the families of those he injured and killed decide whether he deserves forgiveness.

I would like to think that nothing is beyond forgiveness. I have to believe that as long as there is genuine remorse, forgiveness is possible. I hate sounding like a peacenik....but dammit, the act of forgiving might do more good for the family of the victims than Ong. It may not bring back Precious Baldo or heal the other victims but it does bring closure and dignity to a tragic event. If Ong doesn't feel remorse or doesn't ask forgiveness from the families and friends of those he ran down, then it doesn't really matter because his life is empty and he might as well already be in hell (if you believe in that kinda thing.)

Throw the book at Ong. That's what the Law is for. Let the families of the victims grieve and only then think of forgiveness and maybe they'll come out of the experience without having to live in bitterness.

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 5:57 am

Words of wisdom, pare...

...point duly taken, Askal.

Sadly, he retained his arrogance according to my sources back home when he was aired on tv. Was he still drunk and shock at that time?

Forgiveness is good, no, it's a GREAT thing to do...

...but what if it wasn't asked for? How could there be due closure when you lost your loved one and they insult you by offering 0.5 million pesos just to "forget everything"?

...oh sure, they're poor folks... they probably wouldn't get that amount of money in at least half of their lifetime...

Then again, you're right.

Nothing will bring back Precious. Yup, let the law and justice take their due course...

...hopefully Ong's lawyer mother and judge father don't mess things up behind the court.

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 6:04 am

Thanx for the PM, Mah.
Indeed, if things went that way, he's a bastard to the bone!

I was only cautious, 'cause things often are augmented (maybe he didn't use those
exact words for instance), and because it's easy to judge, but we have to realize
that such things may happen to anybody (I mean, doing something stupid that ends
in tragedy..)

Osiris · Post by **Osiris** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 6:18 am

Good post, Askal!

His initial behaviour can be put down to drunkenness at the time, but continued arrogance as Mah described can only compound the hurt of Precious' family.

CM · Post by CM » Wed Feb 26, 2003 6:34 am

Well i for one would not be forgiving under the circumstances. He killed kids and doesnt give a **** about it. Make an example of him to the rest of his peers. He needs to be taught a lesson. Murder, death it is all the same. He should be punished under the full extent of the law. Heck the mourning parents shouldnt even think of forgiveness.

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 6:50 am

Originally posted by CM
Well i for one would not be forgiving under the circumstances. He killed kids and doesnt give a **** about it. Make an example of him to the rest of his peers. He needs to be taught a lesson. Murder, death it is all the same. He should be punished under the full extent of the law. Heck the mourning parents shouldnt even think of forgiveness.

Hate breeds hate, don't you think making a very large example of him will also create a bigger rift between the rich and poor neighbourhoods. I have no doubt he should be punished, it should just be carefully considered.

My condolences to the families, it's tragic. I can only hope the correct verdict is handed out when he faces a jury of his peers.

CM · Post by CM » Wed Feb 26, 2003 6:53 am

There was an recent example in India were a movie start ran over 3 people on the road. He was taken to jail. They bribe his way out, heck the police went back and got him. He is being prosecuted for man slaughter. The Actor was i believe Salman Khan.

Sleepy justice is blind to social issues. A crime is a crime and should be punished according to the law. If that includes the death penalty so be it.

You cant give up certain segments of the law or consider the crime in a different light just because of the socio-political problesm and rifts.

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 7:00 am

Originally posted by CM
Sleepy justice is blind to social issues. A crime is a crime and should be punished according to the law. If that includes the death penalty so be it.

I absolutely agree, the law is the law, I was referring to the publics reaction rather than what will happen with the law, once you colour the story too much in the press the whole system breaks down. How can you have an unbiased jury if they have heard about the crime for hours on end on the news?

Osiris · Post by **Osiris** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 7:02 am

Originally posted by Mr Sleep
...don't you think making a very large example of him will also create a bigger rift between the rich and poor neighbourhoods.

I would think if he gets off with a "slap on the wrist" penalty due to family influences, it will create an even bigger rift ....

CM · Post by CM » Wed Feb 26, 2003 7:03 am

Originally posted by Mr Sleep
I absolutely agree, the law is the law, I was referring to the publics reaction rather than what will happen with the law, once you colour the story too much in the press the whole system breaks down. How can you have an unbiased jury if they have heard about the crime for hours on end on the news?

Have to run to class, but i agree with you. The press is going to go for a very serious punishment and if the judge or jury do anything less it will be their heads and reputations. I can see where you are going with this. But i cant comment. Class me late. See ya.