2 dead, 4 hurt in Batangas Star Tollway mishap

Batangas, Philippines – Two people were killed while four others were injured when their vehicle slammed into a passenger bus along the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (Star) Tollway in Ibaan town yesterday morning, authorities said.

Carlito America, chief security officer of Star identified the fatalities as Rene Cairo, 57 and Ruben Delavin, both residents of Dagat-dagatan, Caloocan City.

America said Cairo died on the spot and Delavin died while being treated at the Batangas Regional Hospital.

Injured were Bernardo Sabado, Raphael Almeron, Mitch Abalos amd John Gerson Gunida, all passengers of the Tamaraw FX (UDK-589). All were rushed to BRH for treatment.

According to report, the Tamaraw FX driven by Danilo Cairo was traversing the Star Tollway going to Batangas from Manila when its back tire exploded, swerved to the opposite lane and collided with a Batangas bound ALPS Bus (DWB-239) upon reaching KM 98 in Barangay Quilo around 10:30 a.m.

Bus driver Gregorio Cortas and Cairo were hauled to Ibaan police station to undergo investigation and possibly charged with reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries. – Arnell Ozaeta