Soldier's van injures four in Tuburan town

CEBU, Philippines - At least four passengers were wounded after the vehicle of a member of the 78th Infantry Battalion reportedly hit a tricycle in barangay Bagasawe, Tuburan town the other day.

PO1 Ariel Maravillas of the Tuburan Police Station said that the Mitsubishi L300 van driven by its owner, Estojoel Navarrete, a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, together with his colleagues and their team leader, 2nd Lt. Gilbert Osorec, was heading for the municipality of San Remigio, from barangay Colonia in Tuburan, escorting Lt. General Isagani Cachuela.

Upon reaching Bagasawe, the van reportedly overtook a vehicle but a tricycle driven by one Armand Paglinawan, resident of Putat in Tuburan, with eight passengers onboard, suddenly appeared and was hit by the van.

Maravillas said that Paglinawan lost control of the tricycle which rammed onto a tree, injuring four of the eight passengers.

Those wounded were taken to the hospital immediately. They were identified as Edwin Guarin, 16, of Campoot, Tuburan; Orcelo Ochia, of Pajo, Poblacion in the neighboring town of Tabuelan; Christine Montebon, 13, resident of Putat; and Mary Grace Salapan, 39, of barangay Macopa, also in Tabuelan.

All four are now in safe condition. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)