Migrant group pays tribute to Pinoy victim of fatal accident in Kowloon

Rodolfo Villaruel (Photo courtesy of Migrante Hong Kong)

A 58-year-old Filipino domestic worker and the 85-year-old mother of his employer were identified as the two fatalities in a traffic accident on Thursday morning in To Kwa Wan, an official of the Philippine Consulate General confirmed.

Assistance to Nationals officer Danilo Baldon told Hong Kong News the employer of Rodolfo Villaruel was trying to get in touch with the Filipino’s next of kin in the Philippines.

“Nakapitong kontrata na daw iyong domestic worker sa amo niya. Kasama daw ng Pilipino ang nanay ng employer niya,” he said.

Baldon said the identity of the Filipino victim was confirmed to him by police officers from Kowloon West.

Reports said a bus with tourists from the mainland hit the woman and the Filipino while crossing Ma Tau Kok Road at around 10 a.m.

In a statement posted on the government website, the Police said that at about 9:45 a.m., a 58-year-old man drove a coach to board passengers at Ma Tau Kok Road.

The coach reportedly rushed forward suddenly and hit a bus. It subsequently passed by the pedestrian crossing near Pak Tai Street and knocked down the two victims.

“The woman and the man were trapped under the coach and were rescued by firemen. Sustaining serious injuries, the woman was certified dead at scene.

“The man was rushed to Kwong Wah Hospital in unconscious state and certified dead at 10.40 a.m. A 55-year-old male passenger of the bus was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in conscious state with injuries in his right leg,” the statement added.

The coach driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death. The arrested man was released on bail pending further investigation. He is required to report back to Police in late July.

A Facebook post of Migrante Hong Kong said Villaruel, also known as “Kuya Rudy”, was a well-known leader of various Filipino groups in the city and was an active supporter of the “No Fee Coalition” to oppose various fees imposed on migrant Filipino workers.

“Hanggang sa huling araw ng kanyang pagpanaw, si kasamang Rudy ay nanatiling isang huwarang OFW na hindi lamang ang sarili ang iniisip, bagkus ay nakipaglaban para sa karapatan at kagalingan ng nakararaming mga migrante,” the group added on Facebook.