5 die as fuel tanker bursts into flames

MANILA, Philippines - Five persons including a six-month-old baby died when a fuel tanker burst into flames after it hit a row of houses in Pinabacdao, Samar at dawn yesterday.

Police said worker Michael Buenavides, 20; his wife Maryjoy, 18, and their baby, Angela, were burned to death, along with the truck driver and his helper, whose names were not immediately available.

Reports said the driver lost control of the wheel as he was driving down the road in Barangay Lale.

The vehicle hit three houses owned by Gaudencia Tablan, Romy Balondo and Arman Balondo before it burst into flames.

The fire destroyed the houses. Responding firefighters declared fire out at about 5 a.m.

Another resident, Arman Balundo, 24, was injured in the incident, which occurred at around 2 a.m., according to Eastern Visayas police information officer Chief Inspector Maria Bella Rentuaya.

Catanduanes mishap leaves 3 dead

In Catanduanes, three members of a family died when their motorcycle collided with a dump truck in Viga on Friday afternoon.

Bicol police spokesperson Senior Inspector Malou Calubaquib said tricycle driver Ricardo Omayan, his wife Edna and their grandson Dave de Jesus died at the scene. The boy’s mother Minda was taken to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center.

Responding police officers arrested truck driver Salvador Hicao.

The Omayans were traveling in Barangay Buenavista when they figured in the accident at around 5:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, in Cagayan, a real estate broker and his 80-year-old mother died while seven others were injured after their vehicle rammed a tree in Lal-lo town on Saturday.

Ferdinand Simbra, 45, of Camella Homes died at the scene. His mother Elisa died while being treated at the Matilde Olivas District Hospital in nearby Camalaniugan town.

The victims’ relatives, identified as Nicole Simbra, 22; her daughters Zharina, 4, and one-year-old Zebriena; Hanna Joy Simbra, 11; Felimon Simbra 38; Jonathan Pasos, 15, and Ma. Antonette Fantolgo, 48, were taken to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in this city for treatment.

Chief Inspector Wilhelmino Zaldivar, Lal-lo police chief, said Ferdinand was driving along the highway in Barangay Alaguia when he lost control of the wheel, causing the vehicle to hit an avocado tree.

Case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Gilbert Columna said the family was on their way to visit a friend in Allacapan town when they figured in the accident at around 9:30 a.m.

In Ilocos Norte, Police Officer 1 Jaymar Macugay, 26, also died when his car rammed a tree in Banna town before dawn yesterday.

Responding police officers brought Macugay to the Doña Josefa Edralin Marcos District Hospital in Marcos town, where he was declared dead on arrival. – With Celso Amo, Raymund Catindig