Slippery roads in Benguet leave 3 dead

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Foggy days and slippery roads in Benguet has been making lives miserable for motorists here lately. Three people were killed and 9 injured in 4 separate vehicular accidents here during the week.

The latest was sixty-year-old Morris Ganisi who was killed when his foot got tangled with a cord from an Elf Isuzu truck as they were plying Halsema Highway along Lengaoan barangay in Buguias town Friday morning, July 31.

Ganisi reportedly hitchhiked with a companion but when he alighted, he fell and his foot tangled with a cord. His cries went unheard and by the time that the residents were able to stop the truck, Ganisi was already dead.

The police have detained the driver of the Elf truck.

Also in Buguias, a passenger jeepney fell into a 100-meter ravine in Sitio Impugong, Babulongan Sur last Thursday, killing the driver and one passenger. Police said the Sarao jeep with registry plates DGG 1105 lost its brakes and fell into the ravine.

Killed on-the-spot were driver Jay-Ar Riquardo of Tabuk City, Kalinga and Mariano Lumiguid Dominguez Sr of Loo, Buguias. Injured and confined at the Lutheran Hospital at Abatan, Buguias are Merna Bayas Dominguez of Loo; Jay-Ar Calilao Bogar, 23 years old, single, laborer and a native Conner, Apayao.

The other passenger, Jojo Dodong Briones, 18 and a native of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur was unhurt.

Last July 27, a van fell into the Bued River about 40 meters below Kennon Road, injuring two of the passengers. Driver Jessie Estowe aboard his Mitsubishi Canter reportedly lost control of his vehicle which then hit the railings along Twin Peaks until it fell down the river. Three of his passengers – Arjay Zamora; Zebring Zamora; and Ben Cabuang – were fished form the river and rushed by responding paramedics from 911 On-Call to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) for treatment and further observation.

In Kibungan town last July 30, an Elf truck filled with vegetables skidded off the road and fell into a ten-meter ravine. Its 4 passengers, including the driver, were injured and were brought to the Atok District Hospital for treatment.

Police said driver Juanito Allan, 36, was negotiating a curve at Km. 43 at about 6:15 PM when the accident happened. Also injured were Brenson Ababa-en, 22; Dewey Guidawen, 25; and Jefrence Tayan, 24; all from Kibungan. – Rappler.com