3 die in Isabela road mishap

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Three persons died while two others were injured when their sport utility vehicle collided with a truck in Naguilian town, Isabela before dawn yesterday.

Mary Jane Sales, her cousin Jessie, and Rodel Crisostomo died at the scene.

Sales’ husband Eduardo and brother Joniper Edrada were brought to a hospital for treatment, said Senior Inspector Edwin Castro, Naguilian police chief.

Reports said the victims were on their way home from Cauayan City when the accident occurred in Barangay Magsaysay at around 2 a.m.

Truck driver Jed Bugaoisan, 29, of San Mariano, Isabela, surrendered to the authorities.

In Zamboanga Sibugay, a man died while five others were injured when a truck loaded with bottled sodas rolled over in Tungawan town yesterday morning.      

Truck driver Wilfredo Mahilum died at the scene while his companions, Reneboy Fabe and Tomasito Cabatas, were treated at a hospital.

The truck (BUC-197) was reportedly running at top speed toward Buug town when the driver lost control of the wheel at around 4:30 a.m. in Barangay Langon.

Reports said the truck slammed into a hill before it rolled over, sending bottles of sodas into the air, which hit three road workers, identified as Jose Estecomin, Joemarie Sumalinog and Simon Arnaiz.

Meanwhile, in Iloilo City, a seafarer and his girlfriend died when their motorcycle collided with a utility van in Mandurriao district  Monday night.

Julio Nava Jr., 23, and Katreena Alexandra Yarra, 22, a pharmacist, were declared dead on arrival at the Western Visayas Medical Center.

Reports said Nava and Yarra were traveling along Guzman street in Barangay Guzman-Jesena when their motorcycle collided with a van (FHG-682) driven by Andre Misajon, 28.

Chief Inspector Rhea Santos, chief of the city police-traffic investigation and enforcement unit, said the victims’ families wanted Misajon to undergo alcohol and drug tests.

“But Misajon’s family prevented him from signing a waiver for him to undergo the tests,” Santos said. – With Roel Pareño, Jennifer Rendon