Police: Driver is the cousin of EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Three people were killed, while four others were critically injured, after a tricycle was struck by a suspected drunk driver along Northdrive in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City, early morning yesterday.

Police identified the fatalities as 68-year-old Erlinda Villar, 44-year-old Merlinda Tesoro, and 34-year-old Rodelyn Nacis, all residents of Barangay Minoyan in Murcia.

The injured, meanwhile, were identified as Geralyn Villar, Merlinda Barcenas, Erica Tesoro, and Elvis Barcenas, also residents of the Murcia barangay.

Police Station 4 (PS4) traffic investigator, Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) June Garong, said the victims were heading home aboard a tricycle, when their vehicle was rammed by a sport utility vehicle (SUV) driven by Luigi Malacon, a resident of EB Magalona and cousin of the town’s Mayor Marvin Malacon.

Two of the victims died at the scene, while the third was rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), where they were declared dead on arrival by hospital staff.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred after Malacon attempted to overtake the tricycle’s lane.

Police immediately detained Malacon, who they claimed was drunk after smelling alcohol on his breath.

However, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) spokesperson, Police Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, said it is still too early to confirm if Malacon was indeed drunk, adding only doctors can make the determination.

In response to the incident, the EB Magalona mayor said he is saddened over the incident and would leave his cousin to deal with the matter if he is charged.

He also extended his condolences, adding he is prepared to provide assistance.

The SUV driver faces multiple vehicular manslaughter and physical injury charges for the incident and is presently detained at PS4./DGB, WDJ