2 dead, 27 hurt in road collision

BATANGAS, Philippines – Two persons were killed while 27 others were injured when a Manila-bound passenger bus collided with a cargo truck along the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) in Ibaan town this province yesterday morning, police said.

Senior Inspector Pablo Aguda, Ibaan police chief, identified the fatalities as truck driver Pepito Briones, 40, and his helper, Noriel Petilo, 35, both residents of Barangay Galamay Amo, San Jose, Batangas.

Police said Briones was cruising the STAR tollway toward Batangas aboard an Isuzu Elf truck when a Manila-bound N. Dela Rosa passenger bus swerved on the opposite lane and collided with the oncoming truck upon reaching Km. 95 in Barangay Quilo, Ibaan town at around 8:30 a.m.

Briones died on the spot while Petilo succumbed while being treated at the Batangas Regional Hospital, said Dr. Rose Alday, hospital emergency head.

The 27 injured, including bus driver Gener Batukabe, were also brought to the same hospital for treatment.

Police have yet to file charges against Batukabe.