Man killed, 2 hurt in road accident

CEBU, Philippines — A senior citizen who worked as a motorcycle-for-hire driver died while two of his passengers were injured after their motorcycle was rammed by an Isuzu Bighorn wagon in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, last Thursday.

Responders identified the victim as Honorio Giltendez Pescador Jr., 62, a resident of Imahen Compound, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, who was driving a Honda Beat motorcycle.

Pescador’s passengers who sustained minor injuries were Lea Mae Bonocan, 24, and Christine Faran, 23, both residing in Lower Betania Hills, Lahug.

Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) chief, Police Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Andeza, reported that Belarmino Canillo Birao, 57, from Tubod, Toledo City, Cebu, was driving straight along Veteran’s Drive near Cosmopolitan Maracas and heading towards JY Square when he collided with the victims.

According to Birao's statement, while driving downhill his vehicle lost control and initially collided with a Toyota Wigo driven by Emily Victoria Cabañero, who was traveling in the opposite direction. The impact caused damage to the left side of the Wigo.

The suspect then crashed into the motorcycle that was behind the Wigo. Due to the force of the impact Pescador and his two passengers were thrown to the pavement. Pescador died from his injuries, while his two passengers only received minor injuries.

Following the incident, Andeza advised vehicle drivers to inspect their vehicles for any issues before traveling, and to use second gear when going downhill.

“Sa atong mga motorista, labi na moagi ta anang mga dulhugon, see to it na dapat kung ma dulhog ta, naa lang ta hinay-hinay nga naka segunda ka daan and avoid going neutral while ga dulhog ka… I-check pud nato ang roadworthiness sa atong sakyanan para ma-avoid ta sa disgrasya,” said Andeza.

Birao is now in the custody of the TEU and may face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and homicide with multiple damage to properties. (CEBU NEWS)