Jeep plows into house, store; 2 dead, 5 injured

MANILA, Philippines - Two people were killed while five others were injured when a speeding passenger jeepney lost its brakes and plowed into a sari-sari store and a house in Antipolo City Tuesday.

Rodrigo Bartolome, 66, and Virgilio Abejar, 70, sustained head and body injuries and died while being treated at the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center.

Those who suffered minor injuries were Jennifer Docta, 35; Ariel Docta, 37; Jesus Stephen Docta, 5; Rosie Osmeña, 53, and Gadziel Osmeña, 8.

Police are hunting down Jojo Silbano, 26, driver of the passenger jeepney who escaped after the incident.

Reports said the passenger jeepney was on its way to Cogeo in Antipolo City from Cubao, Quezon City when the accident took place at around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

In a bid to stop the vehicle, Silbano hit the cement gutter but his jeepney continued moving and plowed into the sari-sari store of Bartolome and the house of Abejar.