Ex-PNP officer, 4 others cheat death in dramatic Halsema road rescue

ATOK, Benguet – A retired police officer and four of his passengers cheated death with timely arrival of rescuers who pulled his Montero SUV from a roadside as their vehicle was teetering and about to fall down a deep ravine here around 5 p.m. Monday at km 55, Barangay Cattubo, along the Halsema Highway.

A cell phone call from a concerned citizen mobilized Atok police, fire and disaster personnel who immediately went to the area to rescue the victims.

A report by SP03 Agosto Domeris, who investigated the incident said the vehicle was a maroon Mitsubishi Montero with Plate No. NTO-558, driven by the owner named as Teofilo Esteban Marrero, 57, married, retired PNP officer of AVSE Group, native of Tadian, Mt. Province and resident of East Quirino Hill, Baguio City.

His four passengers were Marcela Domasen Marrero, 56, his wife; Caroline Wandali Wacan, 60; Rodney Wacan, 61, both residents of Bayabas, Pico La Trinidad, Benguet and Cecilia Cantogan Palanay, 54 of Asin Road, Baguio City.

Said passengers were all injured and brought to Atok District Hospital in Barangay Sayangan for treatment.

Investigation disclosed the vehicle was bound for Baguio City from Tadian when at about 4:30 p.m. that day, they met a truck from opposite direction at a sharp curve.

To avoid collision, Marrero directed his vehicle at the shoulder of the road and bumped a road warning sign and nearly fell down the ravine.

The responding team came in time and successfully pulled the vehicle with use of a fire truck and loader.

The involved vehicle was brought to Sayangan where it was noted it incurred damages to its bumper, grills and windshield.