1 killed, 22 hurt in Ilocos Sur road crash

By Aldwin Quitasol

LIDLIDDA, Ilocos Sur – A person died while 22 others were injured after the mini dump truck they were on fell on its left side following a crash here in Barangay Labot.
    Francis Balag-ey Rufino, a resident of Barangay Kili, Tubo, Ilocos Sur died while the truck driver identified as Marlon Cariño Abaten, of Barangay Tiempo Tubo, Abra was found to be intoxicated while driving.
    Police said 23 passengers including the driver were aboard the dump truck when the accident happened.
    They came from a night swimming party given as a treat from a winning political candidate of their municipality.
    While traversing the road, Abaten lost control of the truck until it fell on its left side.
    Rufino, the passenger in front went through the side window of the truck and fell on the road.
    The victim was pinned down by the left-side door of the truck.
    He was rushed to the Candon City General Hospital but died while undergoing treatment.
    Five victims who sustained injuries confined at the same hospital were identified as Kevin Paraparas, Wilma Licawen Dagson, Barangay Kagawad, Berdo Casacas Paleyan, Noel Banglay Lubiang and John Loyd Maliwan, all residents of Baeangay Kili, Tubo.
    Other victims rushed to the hospital were discharged.
    The driver is now in police custody.

Cabanatuan PNP building burned; trapped man dies

By Ramon Efren Lazaro

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — A fire razed the intelligence and drug enforcement offices of the Cabanatuan police on Monday, leaving one person dead.
    Reports reaching Col. Jess Mendez, acting Nueva Ecija police director, said the fatality, who has yet to be identified, was trapped in the building along M. De Leon Avenue in Barangay Kapitan Pepe.
    The fire broke out at around 4 a.m. and was declared out after 30 minutes.
    Probers have yet to determine what caused the fire and the cost of damage to properties.
 

 
Rider dies, wife hurt in Tuguegarao collision

By Vince Jacob Visaya

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- A 33-year-old rider died while his wife was wounded when their motorcycle collided with a passenger van along the city road on Luna Street here night of May 26, a police official said.
    The fatality was identified as Ray Francis Gumabay and the wounded as Rose Ann, both of this city, Lt. Anazel Bosi, the city police spokesman, said.
    They were brought to a private hospital, but Ray Francis was declared dead on arrival while Rose Ann is under observation.
    Van driver Rene Pajarillo, a 24-year-old trade and industry marketing assistant, was on his way to Blumentritt Street at the north when the motorcycle rammed the car's left portion.
    The van was said to be traveling at normal speed while the motorcycle was speeding.
    Pajarillo's van was placed under the custody of the city police station.
    He promised to help shoulder the funeral and medical expenses of the fatality and the wife.
 

6 hurt in Ilocos Sur road mishaps

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur -- Six persons were injured in two road accidents in Ilocos Sur May 28.
    Motorcycle riders Roland Gomez, 38, and Robin Semilla, 30, were injured when their vehicle collided with a car in Barangay Pangada in Sta. Catalina town.
    The driver of the car, Anthony Llandela, 38, and his companion Richard Ferrer were also taken to a hospital for treatment.
    Police said the all the victims were drunk.
In San Esteban, a bus was heading north when it was hit by pickup.
    A 10-wheeler truck behind the bus plowed into a house when the driver tried to avoid the pickup.
Orlan Ronquillo, 29, and Rick Dorian, 23, pickup and truck drivers, respectively, were injured and brought to the Ilocos Sur District Hospital in Narvacan.
    The bus driver, Harry James Ingan, 38, and his passengers were unhurt.