5 minors killed in road accident

BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines  - Five minors were killed while two others were hurt in a road accident along the national highway of Brgy. 13 in Victorias City, Negros Occidental shortly before midnight Thursday, police said.

The five, who died of multiple injuries, were Reilyn Jornadal Jr., 11, Mark Anthony Pasinado, 15, Edward Ventura, 16, Regie Boy Loto, 16, and Rolando Enosa, 17.

Traffic investigator SPO2 Luis Molato said the victims were on their way home from a postponed motorcycle race at the city coliseum, when the tricycle they were riding in hit the rear of another tricycle.

Molato said the tricycle of the victims, driven by Enosa, swerved to the highway lane being used by a truck, laden with cement, resulting in a head-on collision. The truck ran over the victims before plunging into the sugarcane field.

The driver of the truck, Joemarie Aldas, is now detained at the Victorias City Police Station jail, pending the filing of charges against him for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and physical injuries.

Molato said the legal counsel of the truck owner met with the families of the victims, to offer financial assistance of P3,000 each, but the victims' families refused to accept it.