2 dead, 2 hurt in Shaw-EDSA tunnel collision

MANILA, Philippines - Just two days after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) had EDSA’s accident-prone areas blessed by a Catholic priest, two people were killed and two others hurt in a three-vehicle smashup at the Shaw Boulevard tunnel as it crossed EDSA in Mandaluyong City yesterday.

Emmanuel Tolentino, an employee of the Safecon Enterprise; and Jose Porlaje Jr., a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were killed in the accident.

Police Officer 2 Gregorio Acbay said Tolentino was driving a silver Toyota FX (EVP-789) and was about to enter the underpass at about 6 a.m. when it was rear-ended by a Hyundai Tucson driven by Daniel Joseph Pineda, 21.

Because of the impact, Tolentino lost control of the FX, which swerved to the other side and was rammed by a Bataan Transit Bus (PJQ 911) driven by Rudy Tibayan.

The FX was dragged for several meters before it came to a complete stop, witnesses said.

Tolentino and Porlaje, his passenger, sustained head and body injuries and were declared dead on arrival by attending doctors at the Mandaluyong City Medical Center.

Tibayan and Pineda suffered slight injuries and were brought to the Mandaluyong City police traffic division after treatment at a hospital.

Tibayan told Acbay he was running between 40 to 50 kilometers per hour and was on his way to their terminal in Pasig City when the accident occurred.

Senior Superintendent Armando Bolalin, Mandaluyong City police chief, ordered the filing of reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide charges against Tibayan and Pineda, who are detained at the local jail.

Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said yesterday that buses will be banned from flyovers and underpasses along EDSA.

“What happened is proof that (bus drivers) should not ply through the tunnels,” he said.

Tolentino noted that there were about 10 passengers in the Bataan Transit bus when the accident happened.

He also insisted that the government should cancel the license of reckless drivers, saying there is nothing in the Constitution that prevents the government from doing so.

– Non Alquitran, Aie Balagtas See