3 dead, 11 hurt in SLEX mishap

Three people, including a policeman, were killed while 11 others were hurt when a speeding passenger jeepney fell into a creek along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) in Muntinlupa City yesterday.

The Muntinlupa Traffic Division identified the fatalities as Police Officer 1 Romeo San Miguel, detailed at Camp Bagong Diwa; Rolando Rellora, the driver of the jeepney; and Celso Panugan, a native of Surigao del Norte.

Attending doctors at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa said the three died after suffering serious head injuries.

Police Officer 1 Jomar Tira of the Muntinlupa Traffic Division, identified the injured passengers as Gerwin Avopenapa, Angelica de la Cruz, Jennifer de los Santos, Joanna Enuya, Ellen Gulungan, Deo Ilagan, Vangie Juan, Potenciano Peña, Joey San Juan, Mylene Sigaya and Emaliza Tulod.

Most passengers suffered cuts and contusions and were brought to the Alabang Medical Center. Those who suffered fractures were taken to the Orthopedic Center in Manila.

Some passengers said Rellora was driving too fast.

Tira said the jeepney (DWY-608) was on its way to Quezon City from Cavite when it went off the highway and fell into a creek in Barangay Bayanan, Muntinlupa.