2 dead, 5 hurt as jeepney goes out of control

MANILA, Philippines - Two men were killed and five others injured after a runaway passenger jeep plowed into a group of people talking on the sidewalk near the corner of Manga Road and Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City Thursday.

House painter Jeyffy Pelipel, 31, was killed on the spot while factory worker Primitivo Tiedra, 45, died in a hospital.

Police identified the injured as helper Arsenio Jamin, 23; vendor Rommel Pilande, 40; housewife Laila Mondejar, 34; Light Rail Transit property custodian Delicia Madeloso, 34; and hair stylist Alvin Pilande, 29, all relatives and residents of 756 Aurora Boulevard.

According to police, the victims were engaged in small talk while seated on the curb when Cesar Alicaway, allegedly a bus conductor moonlighting as a jeepney driver, hit them after “weaving” through traffic at around 9:10 p.m.

Alicaway, who reportedly lost control of the jeepney (TWU-449), failed to present a valid driver’s license when he was arrested. He faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries.