DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Three people died and six others were wounded yesterday morning when a passenger multi-cab collided head-on with a cargo truck along the national highway at Kilometer 15 in Barangay Tugawe of Dauin town in Negros Oriental.
Initial police investigation identified the fatalities as Efren Irad, driver of the multi-cab and passengers Palconirie Deleña and Fermin Tuble, all from Dauin.
According to Dauin Police investigator, PO3 Victorio Batoto, the multi-cab was a total wreck, pinning down Irad who died on the spot, while Deleña and Tuble were declared dead on arrival at the Holy Child Hospital in this city.
Those injured, who were rushed to the Holy Child Hospital and the Silliman University Medical Center, were identified as Michael Linard Alde, Heroyuki Balneg Kishi, Leonida Lagaylay, Josephine Willard Solamillo and Donnavill Balansag - all passengers of the multi-cab.
The sixth injured was Limesito Picore, assistant of the truck driver, Arsenio Tumangob Tolomia who himself escaped with bruises and minor injuries.
Tolomia was brought to Dumaguete City, escorted by police, for a liquor check after indications showed he was driving under the influence of liquor, said Batoto.
Investigation showed that the truck, owned by Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, was travelling back to to the city from Brgy. Malatapay in Zamboanguita town where Tolomia and Picore bought some hogs at a flea market for the mayor's restaurant business.
Tolomia, now detained at the lock-up cell of the Dauin Police Station, told reporters that, while negotiating the highway, he overtook a pedi-cab but when he maneuvered the truck back to its lane there was the multi-cab coming from the opposite direction. He said there was no time for him to swerve and avoid colliding with the multi-cab.
Tolomia said he was willing to face criminal charges in court that the police will be filing, such as driving with reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide, among others. (FREEMAN)