6 die in separate motorcycle crashes

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Six people died in motorcycle crashes on Sunday while two others, both tricycle drivers, died in separate ambush incidents in Cotabato City and Maguindanao.

Two grade school boys died instantly after the motorcycle they were riding on crashed in an upland area in Midsayap, Cotabato on Sunday. Their cousin Carl Sotomil, who was driving the motorcycle, was seriously injured.

In Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur, police said driver Lymar Mayo, 18, and his unidentified companion were declared dead on arrival at a hospital after their motorcycle crashed against a narra tree in Barangay Catayagan on Sunday.

Investigators said the two were not wearing helmets when the accident happened.

In Pangasinan, police reported the death of motorcycle driver Anthony Guttang, 42, after colliding with another motorcycle in Poblacion Norte, Sta. Barbara town. The driver of the other motorcycle and the backriders were injured in the collision.

In Anda town, police said Danny Ocumen was declared dead on arrival at the Bolinao Community Hospital after he crashed the tricycle he was driving into an electric post as he was negotiating a sharp curve in Barangay Dolaoan.

In Central Mindanao, two tricycle drivers were killed in separate ambush incidents in a span of nine hours on Sunday.

Officials of the Cotabato City and Bangsamoro regional police said Saber Mohamad and Mael Malang were driving their tricycles when they were attacked by gunmen in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao and in Cotabato City, respectively on Sunday.

Datu Odin Sinsuat is about 40 kilometers south of Cotabato City.

Col. Jibin Bongcayao, Cotabato City police director, said community leaders are cooperating with investigators to identify and file a case against Malang’s killers. — Cesar Ramirez