Neophyte councilor dies in NLEX accident

MANILA, Philippines - A newly elected Malabon City councilor was killed when a speeding cargo truck sideswiped his car along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Pampanga before dawn yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Roberto Villanueva, Malabon City police chief, identified the victim as Councilor-elect Edward de la Cruz, 26, brother of actress Angelica de la Cruz. It was Cruz’s first time to run for an electoral post.

“Yes, it’s confirmed, Councilor De la Cruz died in an accident along NLEX in Pampanga early this morning,” Villanueva told The STAR.

Villanueva, however, could not give the details of the accident because his office was still coordinating as of press time yesterday with Pampanga and NLEX authorities as well as the victim’s family.

Bong Padua, Malabon City public information office chief, said reports reaching the PIO claimed De la Cruz had just finished changing the flat tire of his car along the NLEX in San Simon, Pampanga and was about to board his vehicle when a speeding cargo truck slammed into his car.

“There were reports that De la Cruz has two other companions in the car who were also injured, but we have yet to confirm the information,” Padua said.

Investigation showed that De la Cruz, who owned a band based in Angeles, Pampanga, had just visited his group in the area and was on his way home to Malabon City when he met the accident.

Padua said De la Cruz is the third-ranked councilor-elect of Malabon City’s second district under the Liberal Party (LP) ticket, but had joined “Team Malabon” of Mayor Canuto “Tito” Oreta of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.

“He is neophyte political figure who was about to assume his post on July 1 when this unfortunate incident occurred,” Padua said.

Padua said that NLEX authorities were able to arrest the driver of the killer truck.