Train collides with jeep; 4 dead, 14 hurt

SAN PABLO, Laguna — Four people were killed and 14 others were injured when a Bicol-bound commuter train of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) smashed into a passenger jeepney here Saturday afternoon, police said.

The four fatalities were identified as Claire Monterula, 22; Jonathan Santiago; Ronald Bagsik, 19; and Josefina Tano. They died while being rushed to the San Pablo Colleges Medical Center.

Police said the jeepney driver, a certain Allan Pertierro, ignored warnings by barangay tanods not to cross the railroad track along Colago Avenue.

The jeepney, which was en route to Tanauan, Batangas, was a complete wreck.

Pertierro and the train’s machinist, one Leoncio Basilio, escaped after the collision at 4:45 p.m. Saturday. Pertierro, however, gave himself up to authorities yesterday afternoon. — Arnell Ozaeta, Rene Alviar and Ed Amoroso