2 died, 21 hurt in road accident

CEBU, Philippines – Two people were killed while 21 others were injured Saturday morning after a minibus lost its brakes and hit two jeepneys, a bicycle and two pedestrians before ramming into an electric post along the national highway in Barangay Basak, Mandaue City.

Security guard Edwin Rago was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mandaue City district hospital while an unidentified woman died at the Eversley Child Sanitarium Hospital also in Mandaue City.

Police Officer 2 Ruben Cerdeña, traffic investigator of the Mandaue City Police Office, said the accident was caused by a minibus driven by Antonio Abatayo.

The minibus came from Carmen town and was heading to Cebu City with over 30 passengers.

Abatayo told Cerdeña that when he noticed the problem, he decided to swerve his bus to the left lane, thinking that only few vehicles were using the left lane. But when he swerved to the left lane, two pedestrians, including the woman walking her dog, were hit.

The minibus then swerved back to the right lane hitting a passenger jeepney and Rago, who was driving his bicycle heading to Consolacion town, in the process. When the minibus was finally on the right lane, it hit another passenger jeepney heading for Cebu City before ramming into an electric post.

The police officer said that the injured passengers, few of whom reportedly lost a leg, were to Mandaue District Hospital while the others were brought to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and Perpetual Succor Hospital for treatment.

The injured passengers were identified as Fe Beltran, 42, of Yati, Liloan; Henry Beltran, 42, also of Yati, Liloan; Agripino Ostria Jr, 27, of Sto. Niño, Upper Looc, Danao City; Regem Galdo, 38, of Compostela; Gerome Dompor of Barangay Jubay, Liloan; Junrey Banzon of Carmen; Jason Sandal of Mandaue City; Erwin Quiros, 42, of Compostela; John Pave Pecqez, 22, Danao City; Geralyn Pirongan, 25, Cogon Cruz, Danao City; Roger Casia, 39, Guinsay, Danao City; Roy Gantalao, 34, Looc, Danao City;  Temogine Graillos of Sabang, Danao City; Virgilio Negapatan Abella, 21, Maslog, Danao City; Hilario Purgatorio, 44, Carmen; Pacifico Castro Chonizsa of Agay-ay, Poblacion, Liloan; Jeneto Donggon Lutayao, 33, Compostela; Sheryl Andrino, 37, Bogo City; Wengie Flor Mojado Mata, 26, Taytay, Danao City; Cheryl Menjuito, 29, Dungguan, Danao City; and Irene Lawas, 28, of Compostela.

Abatayo will face criminal complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide with multiple physical injury and damage to property.

Minibus operator Rodolfo Davidon assured to shoulder the expenses of those hospitalized and extend the burial assistance to the two who perished in the accident.— /FPL (FREEMAN)