2 dead, 9 hurt in jeepney-bus collision

Two people were killed while nine others were hurt when the passenger jeepney they were riding collided with a public utility bus on the Quirino Highway in Novaliches, Quezon City early yesterday.

Police said the two fatalities — a man and woman — remained unidentified as of press time because both were not carrying identification cards.

Those injured were rushed to the Far Eastern University Hospital in Fairview, Quezon City.

Police Office 2 Reynaldo Paglinawan said the unidentified driver of the Lexstar bus (TDK 626) fled after the accident. The driver of the jeepney was among those taken to the hospital.

The initial police investigation showed that the Bulacan-bound passenger jeepney was overtaking slow moving vehicles when it collided head-on with the passenger bus.

One of the jeepney’s passengers, identified as Wilfredo Bohoca, said in a radio interview that the driver was traveling at high speed on the opposite lane.

He said the driver had ignored their repeated request to slow down.

In Sta. Cruz, Manila, a 25-year-old vendor died while his companion was wounded when they were fired upon by a still unidentified suspect shortly before midnight last Friday.

Dead on spot was Benjie Castro, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the body. His companion, identified as Roberto Manzon, 33, sustained gunshot wounds in the right thigh and left foot and remains under observation at the Chinese General Hospital.

Police said the shooting incident occurred outside a house on Antipolo street in Sta. Cruz, Manila at around 11:45 p.m.

The two were drinking beer with another friend when a man suddenly fired at the group. Castro and Manzon were hit by the initial volley, but they managed to run toward the house.

The suspect followed Castro and pumped more bullets into his body who died at the second floor of the house.

The suspect, who was described as between 30 and 35 years old, at least 5’3'’ in height and wearing a jacket and bullcap, then casually boarded a silver Honda Civic and sped off toward Dimasalang street.

Police recovered several empty shells from a 9 mm pistol at the crime scene.

Investigators are looking into reports that shortly before the shooting, Castro had shouted invectives at a passing vehicle. – With Nestor Etolle