22 hurt in Bontoc highway accident

By Francis Degay

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Twenty two persons were injured in a vehicular accident along the Halsema Highway here Thursday at Sitio Napo, Bontoc Ili at about 8:30 a.m.

A police report said a passenger utility vehicle with plate no. AY-845 driven by Joseph Guidangen on its way Bontoc bumped after he just overtook another public utility vehicle, a DPWH Toyota pick up with plate no. SAN-845 steered by Ruel Layogan at a slight curve of the National Highway.

The DPWH crew was proceeding to Gonogon when the accident happened.

All passengers and drivers of both vehicles were brought by passing motorists to the nearby Bontoc General Hospital for treatment.

The passengers of the government car, all from Bontoc were identified by police as Allyson Afidchao and Lloyd Gelacio of Barangay Caluttit, Jomar Baydon of Sitio Sum-at, Caluttit; Julius Banityao of Pokisan, Bontoc Ili; Dennis Julius Poloc, of Chackong, Bontoc Ili; Conrado Sagun, of Caluttit; Rodolfo Cayabo, of Lower Caluttit; and Bernard Bagwan, of Sitio Apallay, Bontoc Ili.

Layogan who sustained injuries is still at the hospital.

On the other hand, the passengers of the public utility vehicle were identified as follows: Mary Pinengeo-Poblacion, Sabangan; Elena Colod-Lubon, Tadian; Joey Mad-eo, Poblacion, Tadian; Josephine Dao-wan-Kayan, Tadian; Fred Dacmeg Jr; Clarita Ballakis-Busa, Sabangan; Balbina Baguitan, Mabaay, Bauko; Raymundo Pawid, Lesseb, Sabangan; Cornelio Marcos; and Eleonor Joven-Barlig.

After medical treatment at the Bontoc General Hospital some passengers were allowed to go home.

They were named as Bernard Bagwan, Rodolfo Cayabo, Mary Pinengeo, Clarita Ballakis, Balbina Daguitan, Raymundo Pawid, Conelio Marcos, Octavia Dampalig, Fred Dacmeg Jr and Danilo Bayon.

Due to the impact of the accident, the Toyota pick-up truck was totally wrecked while the PUJ had a broken windshield, dented left side fender, disaligned front wheel assembly, damaged I-beam, springs and tie rod end.

Guidangen, who had no driver’s license when the accident happened, is under custody of Bontoc police.

As of press time, there is no assessment established yet on the cost of damages of the two vehicles.