Two killed in road mishaps

CEBU, Philippines - Two persons, including a barangay councilman, died while another was injured in separate motorcycle incidents in Pinamungajan, Cebu and the neighboring Toledo City Saturday.

In the first incident, Rodulfo Tan, 52, a Barangay Butong, Pinamungajan councilman, did not make it to the Pinamungajan District Hospital due to severe injuries he suffered past noon after losing control of his motorcycle.

Authorities said Tan just came from a Liga ng mga Barangay seminar in Barangay Tajao, Pinamungajan and was heading home when the incident happened.

Initial police investigation revealed that when the seminar stopped so participants could take their lunch, Tan informed his companions that he was going home so he could take his medicine.

 The police said Tan was driving his Yamaha Crypton motorcycle (GR 6254) when he suddenly swerved straight to a waiting shed by the side of the road.

Tan got thrown off his motorcycle and landed on the concrete road. 

He was taken to the hospital but was declared dead by attending physician Vera Yanong.

Hours later, in neighboring Toledo City, Jobelyn Longakit, 21, also died after likewise losing control of the Honda XRM motorcycle she was driving around 11:45 p.m. in Barangay Dumlog. 

The motorcycle was registered under the name of one Alfredo Tingal of Barangay Matab-ang and was just borrowed by Longakit.

The police said the victim was traveling in the national highway with boyfriend Alex Mabilog, 34, when the incident happened. They were from Barangay Poblacion and were on their way to Barangay Talavera.

Toledo City police said that Longakit failed to compensate while traveling a curved portion of the road and went smack into metal railing on their right side.

Both she and Mabilog got thrown off the motorcycle but it was Longakit who suffered grievous injuries.  She died before reaching Toledo City Hospital.

Meanwhile, a vehicle caught fire at the Fuente Osmeña rotunda in Cebu City while it was on its way to Happy Valley Subdivision past noon yesterday.

Electrical circuitry of the Toyota Tamaraw (GAG 821) passenger vehicle owned by Cebu Atlantic Hardware was suspected to have started a spark that triggered the fire.

“Murag kani gyud diri  sa battery kay kalit mani diri nga niinit niya nahibong ko kay naa naman mura’g kayo. Murag ning ground gyud (I think it started in the battery because it suddenly become hot and then there was fire.  I think there was a short circuit),” said driver Jose Tan.

Jose and his eight workmates were on their way to their stay-in lodging in Happy Valley when the incident happened.

Leah Del Rosario, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was the first one to notice what was happening when she suddenly felt heat emanating from the front portion of the vehicle.

 â€œNakabantay siya mura’g nanginit. Hapit gud masunog iyang sinena. Wala ra man hinuoy nasamad (She noticed that it started to get hot. Her clothes even almost caught fire.  Good thing no one was hurt),” Jose said.

Jose immediately parked the vehicle when they realized it was on fire and they all jumped out and ran to ask for help.

Jose said he did not notice anything amiss when they left their workplace in Mandaue City.  (FREEMAN)