vehicular accident claims 11 lives

Crowds gather outside St. Jude Memorial Service where the dead bodies were brought

At around 3.30 pm last Sunday, an izusu truck driven by one Fermin Raypan of Brgy. Panlayahan traveling northbound from Calbayog City, with Comelec registrants on board, ran out of control in the uphill pavement along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Cagsalaosao and swerved to the left lane and accidentally bumped a single “habal-habal” motorcycle driven by Alfie Lagrimas (of Brgy. Macatingog) with three backriders on board.

The truck ran-off the left pavement and turned on its left side. The habal-habal driver sustained injuries and was brought to the Calbayog Sanitarium Hospital. The two backriders namely Efren Efa and Joey Loberiano were brought to the Our Lady of Porziuncula Hospital (OLPHI). The third backrider, 65-year old Amparo Banciano of Brgy. Macatingog died on the spot.

Of the eleven riders on board the izusu truck, six died on the spot. They were identified as Junjun Francisco (16 yrs. old), Jordan Palatones (16 yo) Junmark Pugoso (15 yo), Sherwin Duha (15 yo), A Caspe. All five were from Brgy. Peña. The sixth victim to die on the spot was Ramil Cabig (26 yo) of Brgy. Dagum.

Five others were brought to different hospitals. Declared dead on arrival at the St. Camillus Hospital were Arjay Boy Arabis (15 yo), Reneboy Suarez (16 yo) and Amador Maribojoc (17 yo). Declared dead on arrival at the Sanitarium Hospital was Samley Ortega (15 yo). One victim, Joven Suarez (16 yo) was conveyed to Tacloban City but he died along the way. They were all residents of Brgy. Peña.

Twenty-eight other riders were injured and brought to different hospitals.
Nine were brought to the Calbayog Sanitarium Hospital, namely, Eduardo Gonzales (16 yo), Romnick Cellar (15 yo), Reynaldo David (16), Lope Caspe, Vermonte Mercader (14 yo), Darwin Lontoco (15 yo), Alfredo Evardone (16 yo), Salvador Domingo (16 yo), Franklin Saba (20 yo).

Five were brought to the OLPHI. They are the truck driver Fernan Raypan (28 yo), Junley De Jesus (15 yo), Edwin Punay (16 yo), Arnel Ronda (15yo), and Benedict Prasmo (19 yo).

The 14 victims brought to the St. Camillus hospital were: Jobet Maribojoc (15 yo), Arnel Verba (17 yo), Raymond Maribojoc (15 yo), Jomar Ronda (16 yo), Ruby Gotchave (16 yo), Jun Kenko (15 yo), Raymond Valero (15 yo), Ignacio borinaga 917 yo), Richard Dote (18yo), Christian Ibajo (15 yo), Lunico Pacasa (15 yo), Lester Mejares (15 yo), Giovanie Mahinay (17 yo) all residents of Brgy. Peña; and Ruby Carig (21 yo) of Brgy. Dagum.

The subject izusu truck is allegedly owned by Alfa Contractor named Esteban Fortaleza of Brgy. Payahan, Calbayog City. PNP Officer on the case is SPOIV Saturnino Getigan.