Speeding train rams jeepney; man killed

A still unidentified man was killed after the passnger jeepney he was riding on was rammed by a speeding train in Sta. Cruz, Manila, yesterday afternoon.

Police reports said the victim was in the front passenger seat of the jeepney driven by Emilio Villamor when the incident happened at about 1:35 p.m. at the railroad crossing along Rizal Avenue near the Blumentritt market.

According to reports, the jeepney with plate number TVL-788 was about to cross the railroad tracks when it stalled while the train was approaching.

Police said Villamor managed to jump off and run leaving the victim behind. Reports said the train rammed the front portion of the jeepney and dragged it a few meters before stopping.

According to police, the victim was sliced in half at the torso. Reports said the victim had no identification documents.

Villamor who surrendered to Sta. Cruz police shortly after the incident, was charged with homicide through reckless imprudence.

Meanwhile in Makati the local traffic enforcement unit has collared a total of 2,429 traffic violators from June 1 to 30 as part of its road discipline campaign.

This followed a directive from Mayor Jejomar Binay to the Makati Traffic Enforcement Unit (MTEU) to strictly enforce road discipline and apprehend erring drivers to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the city.

Binay instructed the MTEU to map out a special traffic plan now that the new school year has started, since Makati is home to 50 private and public schools with an estimated 100,000 students.

According to Chief Inspector Candido Ruiz, MTEU chief, last month’s apprehension was 808 higher than May’s 1,621. He said the increase may be attributed to the joint efforts of the Makati police and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic aides who are deployed in the city’s major thoroughfares and secondary streets on a 24 hour basis.

Among the common offenses, according to Ruiz, are obstruction (848), disregarding traffic signs (416), seatbelt law (243), illegal parking (80), and reckless driving (71).

He said the violators were fined accordingly, while some drivers were made to attend the one-day seminar on traffic rules and regulations at the MMDA. – Mike Frialde