College president dead in Benguet highway accident

LA TRINIDAD,  Benguet  – The president of the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College became the latest fatality in the highway mishap involving a van en route to Baguio City  on Saturday morning along Halsema Highway in Atok town, Benguet.

Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) president Dr. Eufemia Lam-en, 57, died Sunday while being treated at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, the Cordillera police said.

Passenger Bernabe Ngipol Lablabong from Purok 3, San Dionisio in Nagtipunan, Quirino Province earlier died at another hospital.

The ill-fated van with plate number AYG 645, driven by Jimmy Babanga,  reportedly plunged into a 50-meter ravine in KM 58, Calasipan, Cattubo, Atok. Babanga told policemen that he dozed off while driving.

Homicide and multiple physical injuries are awaiting Babanga, authorities added.

SPO3 Rolex Sabyat, 40; Tino Ngosi, 45; Melvin Danilo, 15; Victoria Licwasen, 33; Bernadette Dinisia, 32; Elena Salipen, 65; Jake Bantasan, 29; Tito Ingosan, 57; Rachel Bacte, 16; Ben Bayas, 17; Dona Jane Dinisia, 1; Marietta Pagnas, 51; Charlene Calabson, a certain female only named as Taro; were all rushed to the hospital for their head and body injuries.

Pagnas, Cordillera police spokesman Supt. Davvy Limmong said, is still recovering at the Pines City Doctors Hospital in Baguio City, while the other victims, except the driver,  have been sent home.

It was not known the van's owner  will also be charged over the mishap.