3 dead as car falls into ravine

BATANGAS, Philippines – Three people, including a barangay councilman, were killed when their car fell into a 15-foot ravine in Tanauan City last Sunday night, police said.

The victims – Ignacio Maunahan, 41, Barangay Santol councilman; Rolando Contreras, 37; and Vicente Castillo – had just come from a drinking spree in Barangay Malaking Pulo in Tanauan and were on their way home on board a Mitsubishi Lancer when the accident happened at 4:20 p.m. Sunday, said Superintendent Gerson Bisayas, Tanauan police chief.

The accident was discovered only the following morning when a motorcycle rider, a certain Ricky Maranan, saw the crampled car in the river at the foot of the cliff.

Maranan immediately informed Harizon Manglo, chairman of Barangay Malaking Pulo, who in turn alerted the police.

Bisayas said the water in the river could be high, thus people passing by the area could not have seen the victims’ car. 

Police said Castillo, who was driving the car, could have lost control of the wheel because of drunkenness, sending them plunging into the ravine.