N. Cotabato mishap leaves 3 dead

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Three passengers died when their bus rammed a tractor in Aleosan town here Friday.

Among the fatalities were an elderly woman, a seven-month-old infant and bus conductor Danilo Daniel.

The woman died at the scene while the baby and Daniel died as they were being rushed to the provincial hospital in Kidapawan City, said town police chief Inspector Orlito Patrona.

Bus driver Loreto Villarama and 19 others were injured in the accident and were taken to different hospitals for treatment.

Patrona said Villarama was driving along the Cotabato-Davao Highway in Barangay Pagangan when he lost control of the wheel.

The Weena bus with body number B-122 crashed into the tractor, which was pulling a trailer loaded with agricultural products and hitchhikers.

After hitting the tractor, the bus swerved and crashed into a mango tree.

Patrona said the bus was heading for Cotabato City from the Pikit town when it figured in the accident.

In Camarines Sur, three persons died while another was injured in two separate road accidents last Thursday.

Reymart Castor and John Miguel Braga died at the scene while their companion, Charmaine Galias, was injured when their motorcycle fell into a canal in Barangay Hobo-Minalabac.

Galias was rushed to a hospital in Naga City for treatment.

Reports said the victims were heading to school when they figured in the accident at around 8:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, Renato Celevante, 56, died when his car fell into a ravine in Sagnay town, also in Camarines Sur.

Probers said Celevante lost control of the wheel as he was traveling in Barangay Bongalon.

Celevante was declared dead on arrival at the Sagñay Infirmary Hospital.  – With Francis Elevado