SUV hits Isabela villagers conducting cleanup; 2 dead

By Raymund Catindig and Emmanuel Tupas

SAN PABLO, Isabela -- Two village watchmen died while seven other villagers were seriously injured when a sport utility vehicle plowed into a group of people conducting a cleanup drive here in Barangay Ballacayu on Tuesday.

Ambrocio Lagundi, 47, and Rodrigo Pacion, 34, were declared dead on arrival at the Milagros District Hospital. 

Sangguniang Kabataan chairman Philip Macapagal 25; village watchman Anthony Soriano, 34; Francisco Allata, 30; Redentor Telan, 30; Aaron Soriano, 17; Jose Villaverde, 66, and Manuel Dayag, 57, were taken to the same hospital for treatment.

The driver of the Mitsubishi Montero, Marcial Que, 29, was among those injured.

Initial investigation showed that Que hit the villagers while overtaking another vehicle.

He is facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries.

Farmer slain in Abra gun attack

BANGUED, Abra -- A farmer was killed in a gun attack here Wednesday.

            Ginely Barbosa, 27, was driving his tricycle in Barangay Macray when gunmen appeared from a forested area along the Abra-Kalinga Road and shot him twice.

           Barbosa was brought to the Seares Memorial Hospital and later transferred to the Abra Provincial Hospital, where he died while being treated.

           Investigations into the killing is ongoing.