9 killed, 13 hurt in Bulacan, Bataan road mishaps

Nine people were killed and 13 others sustained injuries in separate road accidents in Bulacan and Bataan in the two past days, authorities said.

Five of the fatalities and six of those hurt were reported in San Ildefonso, Bulacan where two trucks carrying fish and coconuts collided head-on along the Cagayan Valley Road in Barangay Maasim at around 1:45 a.m. yesterday.

Police said the Isuzu Forward loaded with coconuts was on its way to Manila from Aurora province when it smashed into a similar truck en route to Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija to deliver fish.

Police identified the fatalities as Jimmy Rosete, Benedict Rosete, Ronnie Mandas, Gabby Bulanghagui, and  Christian Carrasco.

Those injured, Danny Rosete, Ron-ron Santos, Salvador Pedoco, Jonathan Manalo, Rene Manlusok and a certain Aldrin, were rushed to different hospitals.

In Limay, Bataan, meanwhile, four people were killed and seven others, including an 11-year-old boy, were hurt when an oil tanker rammed into a car, a mini-bus and a motorcycle along the Roman Highway last Thursday afternoon.

In a report, Senior Superintendent Manuel Gearlan, Bataan police director, identified the fatalities as truck driver Eustaquio Espinosa, bus dispatcher Rolly Santiago, Jennifer Bonares, and Pablo Agustin.

Those injured were Ryan Acujeda, 11; James Paulo, 32; Joey Garcia; Bienvenido Espiritu, 29; Manolito Camposano, 48; Rosalyn Monzon, 27; and Rafael Mendoza, 37.

Gearlan said all the victims were taken to the DND Hospital and the Bataan Doctors and Provincial Hospital, while the 11-year-old boy was brought to the James Gordon Hospital in Olongapo City.

Police said the oil tanker driven by Espinosa was cruising southward when it rammed into the Mitsubishi Galant of one Angeles Canete crossing the busy intersection in Barangay Lamao.

After hitting the car, the truck then smashed into a mini bus and a Honda motorcycle both parked on the shoulder of the Roman Highway. – Dino Balabo, Ric Sapnu and Raffy Viray