BILIRAN , Philippines – Four children died on the spot and a fifth one at the hospital a day later, while two others are still recuperating from injuries, after a vehicle of the Biliran Electric Cooperative (Bileco) hit them last Wednesday night along the highway fronting the Naval State University-Biliran campus.
The driver of the Bileco car, Poncio Banluta, 46, was allegedly drunk and fell asleep while on the wheel.
Those killed on the spot were Maria Rose Bacalla, 9; Glory Anne Bacalla, 12; Marivic Garis, 9; and Florens Garis, 7. Seven-year-old Jia Bacalla was brought to the St. Paul’s Hospital in Tacloban City, where he died Thursday afternoon.
Those injured, Christine Bacalla, 11, and Jennel Napoles, 8, are now in stable condition at the St. Paul’s Hospital.
Banluta told reporters he had just come from Tacloban City where his vehicle had a maintenance checkup and that he fell asleep while on the wheel.
Police, however, discovered that on his way back to Biliran, Banluta made a stop in Leyte town, about 45 minutes away, and had a drink with friends.
Police said Banluta apparently fell asleep, causing the car to run over the children who were playing on the roadside. Witnesses said he attempted to prevent the vehicle from careening out of control, but was only able to stop it when it rammed a makeshift store selling gasoline by the bottle.
The Bileco management shouldered all the expenses of the victims.