3 dead in motorbike mishaps

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Three persons died in separate road accidents involving motorcycles in Isabela and Quirino provinces last Friday.

Businesswoman Teresita Gallardo was standing in front of a village hall in Barangay Diduyon, Maddela, when she was hit by a motorcycle driven by Jonathan Galinato.

Gallardo died while being treated at the De Vera Hospital in Santiago City, said case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Glomar Antonio.

Galinato, who was reportedly under the influence of liquor, was injured when he was hit by another motorcycle driven by Wilmer Roque.

In Isabela, two men died when their motorcycles collided in Barangay Victoria, Alicia town.

One of the fatalities, identified as Jordan Policarpio, 27, was reportedly under the influence of liquor, said town police chief Inspector Samuel Lopez.

Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, eight persons – including seven high school students – were injured in another smashup in San Enrique town, Negros Occidental on Friday morning.

The students were in a tricycle driven by Alfredo Balena Jr. when they were hit by a Toyota Montero driven by Baltazar Jualayba of Kabankalan City, said Senior Superintendent Milko Lirazan, director of Negros Occidental police.

Lirazan said Jualayba reportedly tried to overtake an Isuzu Sportivo driven by Romy Rubio.  

The students were rushed to a hospital in Valladolid town, while Jualayba, who also suffered minor injuries, was taken in for questioning.– With Danny Dangcalan