2 dead, 9 hurt as drunk driver rams 4 vehicles

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Two people were killed and nine others suffered serious injuries when a Starex van driven by a drunk 21-year-old college student hit at least four vehicles and sideswiped bystanders in Tallungan, Aparri, Cagayan on Thursday.

Chief Inspector Mina Domingo, Aparri police chief, identified the fatalities as Patrick Paulo Annatu, 18, and Shaina Bilag, 14.

Annatu was sitting on the road shoulder when the accident occurred while Bilag was among the passengers of a tricycle hit by the van (XLZ-629) driven by Mark Gain Borbon, a resident of Buguey town.

Those injured were identified as Lyngel Bilag, 39; Joviely Venus Bilag, 21; Salvacion Guillermo, 60; Tom Russel Guillermo, eight; and Samantha Jane Guillermo, seven, who were passengers of the tricycle; and bystanders Aries Agoncillo, 21; Jay Ar Siriban, 16; and Rodel Taguba, 18.

The van hit two motorcycles and a multicab that were parked by the roadside before it stopped. The driver tested positive for alcohol.