Factory worker dead, 17 hurt in Pasig accident

MANILA, Philippines - A factory worker was killed and 17 others were injured when a wayward passenger jeepney rammed them in Pasig City Tuesday night.

Pancho Greg, 22, suffered severe head and body injuries and was declared dead on arrival at the Pasig City General Hospital (PGH).

Taken to the Rizal Medical Center were Jason Remetell, 22; Ariel delos Santos, 23; Efren Necerio, 25; Romeo Timbang, 23; Joel Navarro, 27; Duncan Masada, 23; Salamodin Adam; Rodel Rimando, 35; Brian Bibal, 25; Januarel Andaya, 21; Jerome Sumbilla, 27; Justin Mangadi, 19; Mark Carillo, 21, and Ricardo Tubice.

John Verona and Aaron Viva were brought to the PGH. Mark Anthony Trinidad remains confined at The Medical City.

The jeepney driver, Richard Portillo, of 3 Milon street, Barangay Manggahan, was arrested by responding policemen after the accident. Portillo was detained at the Pasig police jail.

He will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple frustrated homicide, said Pasig police chief Senior Superintendent Mario Rariza.

Inspector Ernesto Mones, head of the Pasig police traffic division, said Greg and those hurt were employees of United Robina Corp. in Barangay Rosario.

Mones said the victims were waiting for a ride at a jeepney stop in Barangay Rosario when the vehicle driven by Portillo hit them at 10:45 p.m.

Case officer PO3 Randy Tedera said they have yet to determine if Portillo was under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at the time of the accident.