OLONGAPO CITY — The family of a tricycle driver who died following a road accident in April has filed a civil case for damages against the driver of a truck trailer involved in the incident and the logistics company that allegedly employed him.
Josefa Arcilla Estigoy, sister of the late Jerry Zantua Arcilla, filed the complaint before the court, seeking actual, moral, and litigation damages against truck driver Kernel Hector E. Macapagal and Aim High Philippines Logistics Inc.
According to the complaint, Jerry Arcilla sustained fatal injuries after the tricycle he was driving collided with a truck trailer bearing Plate No. NLF 6023 on April 23, 2026, in Olongapo City.
Arcilla was rushed to James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital for medical treatment but later died from a traumatic brain injury allegedly sustained during the collision.
Court records stated that a day after the accident, Macapagal executed an Affidavit of Undertaking, in which he allegedly agreed to shoulder expenses arising from Arcilla’s death. Based on the same undertaking, Estigoy reportedly signed an Affidavit of Settlement indicating her intention not to pursue a complaint against the driver.
However, the complaint alleged that Macapagal failed to fulfill the commitments stated in the undertaking, prompting the family to seek legal relief through the courts.
The lawsuit likewise names Aim High Philippines Logistics Inc. as a defendant, alleging that the company, identified as the employer of Macapagal and the owner or lessee of the truck trailer involved in the crash, is liable under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability, or respondeat superior, since the driver was allegedly acting within the scope of his employment at the time of the incident.
Estigoy is seeking ₱221,000 in actual damages to cover funeral, burial, hospital, and related expenses incurred by the family.
The complaint also asks the court to award at least ₱200,000 in moral damages, citing the emotional distress, mental anguish, sleepless nights, and suffering experienced by the victim’s family following Arcilla’s death.
In addition, the plaintiff seeks ₱50,000 in attorney’s fees, ₱3,000 for every court appearance, and reimbursement of litigation expenses.
The complaint further stated that demand letters were sent to both Macapagal and Aim High Philippines Logistics Inc. before the filing of the case but allegedly received no response.
As of press time, neither Macapagal nor Aim High Philippines Logistics Inc., which the complaint identifies as being owned by the Maningding family, had issued a public statement addressing the allegations. The claims contained in the complaint remain allegations that are subject to judicial proceedings.