8 soldiers killed in Isabela road mishap

ILAGAN, Isabela — Eight soldiers were killed while at least 19 others were injured when an Army truck was sideswiped by a Cagayan-bound airconditioned passenger bus in Alicia town late Sunday evening.

Police identified the casualties as Sergeants Jose Baquiran, Pedro Mejino, Joselito Jaluade and Leonardo Villegas and PFC Federico Grifalda, who all died on the spot.

The three others who later succumbed to multiple head and body injuries at the De Vera Hospital were identified as Corporal Francis Mangaliman, PFC Reynante Cabigunda and PFC Edward Sarbalion.

Reports said the military truck with Army troopers from the 45th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in San Mariano town was sideswiped by the speeding Dagupan Bus Line, with license plate AVH-794, at around 11 p.m.

Provincial police director Senior Superintendent Jude Santos said the Army truck driven by PFC Joel Saludo, which is part of a southbound two-vehicle convoy of the Philippine Army’s 45th IB, was cruising southward along the National Highway in Barangay Rizaluna, Alicia when the northbound bus driven by one Angelito Ignacio of Ramon town here hit it on the left side. The driver fled after his bus skidded to a halt at a grassy area a few meters away from the accident site.

Col. Hilario Atendido, commanding officer of the Army’s 502nd Infantry Brigade, which has jurisdiction over the 45h IB, said his men had just come from a routine patrol in far-flung areas in San Mariano and Villa Concepcion in Cauayan City when the accident happened.

Reports said the bus apparently failed to dim its headlights, causing the driver of the military truck to lose sight of the way, despite earlier signals from the Army driver. — With James Mananghaya, AP