3 teens die in motorcycle crash

CEBU, Philippines - Three teenagers were killed while four others were wounded in a motorcycle accident at Barangay Bagacay in San Rafael town of  Iloilo Monday evening.

Police identified the fatalities as Michael Salutin, 19, Gladys Banggod, 18, and Joy Baldosano, 18, all residents of Brgy. Omio in Lemery town.

Wounded were Mervin Batobalani, 17, Mark Villanueva, Jonel Salutin, 19, and Rocel Tolentino, 17. Except for Villanueva who is a resident of Brgy. Sagrada Familia, Dumarao, Capiz, the three injured were also from Omio village.

Batobalani and Villanueva were still confined in the hospital while Jonel Salutin and Tolentino were discharged after receiving treatment for the laceration they sustained.

Chief Insp. Wilfredo Rios, San Rafael Police chief, said the three fatalities and Villanueva were onboard the same motorcycle driven by Michael Salutin.

The three others are on the motorcycle driven by Batobalani. The group was on its way to San Rafael town proper to go to the peryahan when the accident happened. Witnesses claimed the victims were speeding with Batobalani-driven motorcycle on the lead.

Tolentino told investigators that Batobalani turned off  the motorcycle's headlight after he got blinded by the light of a truck running in the opposite direction. However, he failed to notice a palay, which was being dried and left in the middle of  the road. He lost balance until Salutin hit the rear of his motorcycle.

Salutin, Banggod and Baldosano were thrown out of the motorcycle to the other lane of the road. A running Isuzu Forward truck driven by Rolando Japitana ran over the three victims. The driver ran off and did not bring the victims to the hospital.

Rios said the vehicle of  Vice Mayor Melvin de los Reyes transported the victims to the district hospitals in Sara and Barotac Viejo towns.

Japitana's wife and daughter later appeared at the police station to amicably settle with the victims' families. Rios said both parties agreed that no criminal charges will be pursued. — (FREEMAN)