Capitol to aid Dalaguete crash police victims

CEBU, Philippines - The families of the two policemen killed and the policeman injured when their police patrol jeep fell off a cliff in Barangay Mantalongon, Dalaguete town, last Thursday dawn, will be getting assistance from the Cebu provincial government.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia already instructed Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Marivic Garces to send out foodstuffs and goods to the families.

“We are extending all assistance nga atong mahatag,” Garcia said.

The fatalities were SPO1 Jose Geno Ursunal, 40, the team leader; and PO3 Christopher Requina, 53. Only PO3 Allan Sanoy, 38, survived but suffered contusions and cuts in different parts of his body.

Garces said the family of Ursunal and Requina will get P10,000 cash assistance each while the Province of Cebu will also shoulder the hospital expenses of Sanoy.

PSWDO administrative officer Wilson Ramos said that they are now processing the documents for the release of the financial assistance.

Garcia said that the families will also get insurance benefits because the police jeep was covered by insurance including the passengers.

Garcia expressed no doubts about the maintenance of the police jeep by the local government of Dalaguete as provided in the memorandum of agreement between the Province of Cebu and the locality.

“I’m sure that is very well-maintained because that’s the municipality of Dalaguete, Mayor (Ronald Alan) Cesante is known to be a very, very conscientious and very efficient chief executive,” Garcia said.

Garcia learned from reports that the place is an accident-prone area.

The Dalaguete police have yet to determine the cause of the vehicular accident that killed the two policemen including the civilian driver, Frederick Caruana, 30.

The police jeep ridden by the four fell down a cliff while they were on their way back to the town proper from Barangay Dugyan where they secured a benefit dance.

The Cebu Provincial Police Office has 50 blue jeepneys donated by Garcia several years ago.

Of these only 47 are still functional and currently used in different police stations in Cebu Province.

CPPO director, Police Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador earlier said the vehicle was just released from the auto shop last week after undergoing a mechanical inspection together with other vehicles.

Caruana reportedly lost control of the vehicle and it plunged down a cliff 60 to 75 meters deep.  (FREEMAN)