3 dead, 22 hurt in mishap

BATANGAS CITY – Three junkshop workers were killed while 22 others were wounded when the truck they were riding in smashed into a concrete roadside railing here Sunday night, police said.

Superintendent Christopher Tambungan, Batangas City police director, identified the fatalities as Jerry Matibag, 33; James Mercader, 54; and Alfredo Marin, stay-in workers of a junkshop owned by Alvin Alvarez.

They were killed on the spot. Those wounded were rushed to the Batangas Regional Hospital and Jesus of Nazareth Hospital for treatment.

Police said the victims were on their way home to De la Hoya Capitol Village here on board an Isuzu Elf dump truck driven by Peter Bediarico when the vehicle lost its brakes and slammed into the concrete railing in Barangay Pinamucaan at around 6:30 p.m. – Arnell Ozaeta