5 die, 51 hurt in Cavite road mishaps

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Five persons died while 51 others were injured in separate vehicular accidents in Silang, Cavite on Saturday night.

DLTB bus driver Claro Gonzalez and his passengers Jamaera Fenol, Ruby Briones Ranger and Margarita Agquiz died while being treated at a nearby hospital, according to Silang police chief Superintendent Robert Baesa.

The 51 injured passengers were taken to different hospitals for treatment.

Baesa said the first accident involving the DLTB bus, a trailer truck, a Nissan Sentra and a Kia Tio occurred at around 7:30 p.m. along Aguinaldo Highway in Barangay Lalaan 1.

Reports said the truck, which was headed for Manila, swerved, causing it to hit the bus and the two cars.

None among the passengers or drivers of the two cars and truck was injured in the incident.

Three hours later, another bus figured in an accident at the same spot, leaving a bystander dead and three others injured.

Reports said a Kersteen bus (DXG-839) developed engine trouble, causing its driver Larry Negro, 43, to lose control of the wheel.

The bus collided with a car driven by Manolito Bragat and hit four bystanders identified as Marlon Magbuo, Crister Alvarez, La Verne Oliver Perea and Ace Mulitas before it slammed into an electric post.

Mulitas was declared dead on arrival at the Hospital in Tagaytay where the three others were also taken for treatment.

None among the bus passengers was injured.

Meanwhile, two persons died while 14 others were injured in separate vehicular accidents in the Cordilleras over the weekend.

Fernando Saldo and his brother were on a motorcycle when a truck driven by Arvin Sawangin, 40, hit them in Irisan, Baguio City.

Saldo died at the scene while his brother was taken to the Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment.

Sawangin surrendered to responding police officers.

In Benguet, 19-year-old Jomel Palada died when his motorcycle hit an electric post in Barangay Bangao, Buguias town.

Palada’s passengers Charlie Paran, 23; Judy Ann Libagen, 18, and Rosalie Fudayan, 18, were taken by the villagers to the Lutheran Hospital.

In Kalinga, 10 persons were injured when a police patrol car fell into a ravine in Barangay Magsilay, Pasil town.

The victims, including the driver, were taken to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital for treatment of injuries. – With Raymund Catindig