Zambo judge dies in road mishap

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – A regional trial court judge, together with a female companion, was killed when the car he was driving collided with a service utility vehicle along the highway in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur Monday afternoon, police said.

Chief Superintendent Elpedio de Asis, Region 9 police director, identified the fatalities as Judge Ernesto Maximo Victor Laurel of RTC Branch 30 in Zamboanga del Sur, and Kisca Grace Guzman.

Investigation showed that Laurel was driving his Volkswagen along the highway in Barangay Kahayagan East when it collided with a SUV driven by one Victor Francis Benhur Escueta at around 5:15 p.m. Monday.

Laurel died on the spot while Guzman was declared dead on arrival in a hospital, De Asis said.

He said Escueta gave himself up after the incident.