PUJ falls off cliff: 2 killed, 23 injured

CEBU, Philippines -  Two persons died when the passenger jeepney they were riding plunged into a 10-meter deep ravine at a barangay in Passi City, Iloilo yesterday morning.

Paterno Padillo, 60, was declared dead on arrival while Rodalyn Quitane, 36, died while undergoing treatment at the Don Valerio Palmares Sr. District Hospital in that city.

At least 23 people were also injured, said Supt. Hector Maestral of Passi City Police.

The PUJ, filled with more than 30 people, was owned and driven by Artemio Isare, barangay chairman of Dalicanan village. He also sustained injuries due to the accident.

Isare said the PUJ lost its brakes while navigating a downhill portion of Agtabo village around 7:30 a.m. This veered off the road and plummeted into the cliff.

Most of the passengers were from Dalicanan, a hinterland village around 24 kilometers from the town proper.

Passengers had to endure riding on overloaded jeepneys because it will take hours before they could catch another ride. In the case of the ill-fated jeepney, it left Dalicanan at 7a.m. to Passi City then leave the city back to Dalicanan before sunsent.  (FREEMAN)