By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 17:37:00 03/26/2009
Filed Under: Politics, Accidents (general)
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines--The boy who was run over by horses in Masbate City last week is now stable and out of danger, but this time, he is being run over by different creatures: annoying politicians.
Russell, 11, a fifth-grade student of Jose Zurbito Elementary School, was wounded as Senator Manuel Villar’s helicopter was landing in the sports arena where the annual Rodeo Masbateño festival was opened.
The chopper’s landing stirred up dust on the ground and spooked five horses, which dashed around the stadium, running over Russell who sustained facial abrasions and contusions in the head.
“We were nervous when we heard about what happened to our son. First, because we weren’t there and we had no idea how serious it was,” Russell’s father, Roberto Bentor said in a phone interview.
Villar’s dramatic entrance, which cut a speech of a top local official, sparked criticism from some of the locals, saying it was improper.
Russell was rushed to the hospital semi-conscious and had to breathe through oxygen equipment. Doctors have also kept a dextrose plugged to his vein during his first day of stay in the hospital.
His classmates paid a visit until he regained consciousness.
His teacher Lovella Patricio claimed that Russell had a seizure right after his fall. He did not undergo a CT scan, which was not available in Masbate City.
Bentor said they only wanted a CT scan for his son to make sure he was completely safe after the head injury.
He added the hospital bills were covered by their PhilHealth insurance.
Salvador Belgica, Jose Zurbito Elementary School principal, who had a meeting with Russell’s parents Thursday, said the family was not interested in any financial help and would only want their lives back to normal.
Belgica said politicians wooing Russell’s family have been bothersome and annoying.
He said Russell was getting scared by the unusual attention he and his family have been getting.
Roberto said that, after the incident, at least four political camps, known to be Villar’s rivals in the 2010 presidential elections, had approached them.
He, however, refused to name who the politicians were.
“We did not entertain any of them and we have no plans of accepting any offer from them. We don’t want to get involved in politics,” Roberto said in Filipino.
There were also radio reports this week that Russell was still in serious condition but Dr. Adolfo Almanzor, Masbate provincial health officer, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he was discharged from the hospital a day after he was admitted.
Earlier, Villar said he had no intention of disrupting the event and apologized to those who felt offended.
“From what I know, there were some [safety] issues but the pilot was able to land without too much disruption. Nevertheless, if some people were inconvenienced, I apologize. The very warm reception of the crowd on that occasion encourages me to return to Masbate soonest,” he said.
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