At least three people were killed, while 14 others were injured, following a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a public utility jeepney (PUJ) early Saturday morning along the national highway in Bago City’s Barangay Calumangan.
Police identified the fatalities as 23-year-old Arnold Villeran, 17-year-old Jun Art Mariposque, and 17-year-old Angelo Espadera, all residents of Bago City.
Authorities also identified the injured as 32-year-old Christopher Pantallon, the driver of the PUJ; 16-year-old Justine Novero; 46-year-old Susana Novero; 15-year-old Jenny Novero; 46-year-old Josie Marie Novero; 10-year-old Jose Novero; six-year-old Johnzen Novero; 43-year-old Jessica Novero; eight-year-old Jessa Novero; 12-year-old Jasmine Novero; 14-year-old Joriel Capada; 10-year-old Jefferson Pantallon; six-year-old Jillin Pantallon; and 32-year-old Julie Novero, all of whom are residents of Barangay Pahanocoy in Bacolod City.
Bago City police chief, Police Major John Joel Batusbatusan, said the PUJ was heading south towards Himamaylan City when Villeran’s northbound motorcycle took over the southbound lane and caused the collision.
The force of the impact instantly killed the occupants of the motorcycle, while the driver of the PUJ swerved for another few meters until hitting a tree.
The injured were immediately rushed to the Bago City District Hospital for treatment./DGB, WDJ