Security guard dies in highway accident

MARIA, SIQUIJOR, Philippines  —— A 22-year-old security guard died on the spot when the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a tree near a resort in Barangay Olang of this town at about 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The victim was identified as Eduardo Torres, a stay-in guard of the Coco Grove Beach Resort in San Juan town of Siquijor. It was later learned that he was a native of Tanjay City in Negros Oriental.

The FREEMAN reached the scene where the dead body of Torres was being inspected by Municipal Health officer Dr. Archibald Inso, along with police officers Insp. Luzviminda Lambid and PO1s Alvin Abong and Rodrimar Pacaldo.

Initial police investigation showed that Torres was driving a Honda Wave black motorcycle (plate no. 9363 GN) that crashed into a tree along the highway. Police said he was the first victim of a road accident in the area.

Inso told The FREEMAN that Torres sustained serious body injuries and a cracked skull resulting in his instant death. 

A companion of the victim, 25-year-old Kim Alipin who was a resident of Bais City in Negros Oriental, said that Torres allegedly invited him to go to Salagdoong Beach in Maria town from the Coco Grove Beach Resort where the guard was working.

Alipin said they downed a couple of “grande” beers with a third companion, identified as Jesel Maata, 19, of Brgy. Tubod in San Juan town of Siquijor.

On their way home, Alipin said they were on a convoy of four motorcycles, and Torres tried to overtake but failed and his motorcycle instead went wayward to the roadside and crashed directly into the torso of a tree.

The Coco Grove resort management was already informed of the fate of its security guard whose remains were already laid in a funeral parlor, ready for transport to his hometown in Negros Oriental, said Alipin. (FREEMAN)