2 troopers die as truck falls into ravine

TUGUEGARAO CITY – Two Army soldiers died while five others were injured when their truck fell into a ravine in Calanasan, Apayao on Tuesday.

Sgt. Alberto Agustin, 38, and a certain Pfc. Angeles were declared dead on arrival at the Northern Cagayan Hospital in Barangay Namuac, Sanchez Mira town.

Among those injured was truck driver Sgt. Presco Zalun. The four others were identified only as Capt. Dingle, Sgt. Belo, S/Sgt. Aguilar and Pfc. Valdez.

Apayao police director Senior Superintendent Robert Gallardo said the victims, who were members of the 502nd Army Brigade based in Echague, Isabela, were on their way back to the barracks from the burial of governor Elias Bulut Sr.

Gallardo said the truck was traveling along the highway in Barangay Naguilian when it figured in the accident.

He said the road was slippery due to rains brought by Typhoon Nona.

Meanwhile, another soldier and a civilian died while three others were injured in separate accidents in Quezon province on Wednesday.

First Lt. Michelle Mae Delariarte died at the scene, while her fellow soldiers – 1/Lt. Sarah Jane Bagasol and Cpls. Cherly Ramirez and Renato Villanueva, all of the 1st Infantry Battalion – were taken to the Claro M. Recto Hospital for treatment.

The soldiers were in an Isuzu Crosswind that rolled over at around 11 p.m. in Barangay Magsaysay, Infanta town.

Orlando Liadones died at the scene when an Isuzu van he was driving was hit by a bus (ABF-6484) in Barangay Biyan, Calauag town at around 4 a.m.

Bus driver Aurelio Sigara surrendered to the authorities after the accident.

In the afternoon of the same day, a Nissan Urvan (AAX-1230) driven by Roderick Angulo hit a Mitsubishi Montero Sport (AAD-4116) driven by Florinda Solano in Barangay Talipan, Pagbilao.

Both drivers were not hurt in the accident.