2 dead, 12 hurt in Isabela Christmas Eve mishaps

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Two persons were killed and 12 others were injured in two separate accidents in San Mateo and Cauayan City in Isabela on Wednesday.

San Mateo police chief Senior Inspector Romeo Pillos Jr. identified the fatalities as Marcos Ilardo, 44, and his four-year-old daughter Michelle.

Ilardo’s wife Marcela, 40; and children Manuel, 21; Mark Paul, 10; Maricar, 12; and Marcial, 6, were injured.

A police report said the victims were in a tricycle driven by Ilardo when it was hit by a speeding van in Barangay Villa Magat.

The driver of the van, Ryan Paul Manuel, allegedly tried to overtake another vehicle when he hit the tricycle.

In Cauayan City, a tricycle was hit by another tricycle along Barangay Minante Uno after the midnight mass.

Among those injured were tricycle drivers Hermes Rodolfo and Clifford Dupauan, passengers Larry Tuyukeg and Aida Magpantay and her children Angela and Rodelio.

In Cabagan town, eight people, including three children coming from a Christmas party, were rescued after the truck they were riding – with a drunk driver allegedly at the wheel – fell into a river.