Soldier killed as military truck rams bus in Ilocos

MANILA, Philippines - A soldier died while several others were injured after a military truck collided with a passenger bus in Ilocos Norte, before dawn Thursday.

Senior Superintendent Gerardo Ratuita, Ilocos Norte police provincial office director, said Corporal Anastacio Hernandez, 37, of Calamagui, Solana, Cagayan instantly died from his injuries. Several other soldiers were brought to a hospital in Laoag City for treatment.

Ratuita said the passengers and driver of the Florida bus (BVT-388) were unhurt during the accident.

Initial reports showed that the northbound bus, driven by William Antonio, was travelling along a road in Barangay 9, Susugaen, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte around 3 a.m. when the speeding military truck, registered to the Army's 41st Infantry Battalion based in Abra, going to the opposite direction swerved and hit the bus.

Due to the strong impact, the bus lost control and crashed into a house, owned by Justina Visco, 72. No one was hurt inside the Visco residence.