'Go slow, Banga PNP remind motorists after deadly highway mishap

KORONADAL CITY
– Police authorities in Banga, South Cotabato are reminding commuters along the
national highway to take extra care and go slowamid Christmas rush following a deadly
highway mishap Friday in Barangay Poblacion that left eight persons killed and
wounded seven others.

SPO1 Nemesio
Tenorio, Banga PNP traffic investigator, said drivers should be careful
especially during heavy down pour when everybody appears to be rushing.

Tani mag
hinay hinay man mga driver kay delikado, Pasko pa naman,” Tenorio told Happy
F-Koronadal City.

The highway
mishap occurred in Crossing Kipot, Barangay Rizal, Banga, South Cotabato at
past 2 p.m. while the town was experiencing heavy downpour brought about by low
pressure area east of Mindanao.

Involved in
the worst highway mishap so far this year in Bangsa were a white passenger Nissan
Urvan (MVV-270) and new white Ford Everest (NIB-794).

Tenorio identified
the fatalities as Rene Tablazoon, 39, driver of passenger van and resident of
Sto Nino, South Cotabato, Lorna Nicol of T’boli, South Cotabato and Vilma
Zapanta of Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, all on board the passenger van Abdul
Fahad Dalidig, Gladys Flang Dalidig, 23, both residents of Victory Homes, Mae
Joy Serisola Panes, 57, Leony Mae Serisola Panes, 23, both of Agan East Subdivision
Phase III in Koronadal City and Aida M. Laurea of Barangay Blingkong Lutayan,
Sultan Kudarat, who were on board the Ford Everest van.

Wounded from
Nissan Urvan passenger vehicle were Rodelyn Nobleta Tabara, 20 and Mae Nobleta
Tabara, 17, both of Purok Sto. Niño, Kudanding, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat Joven Celestial Nicor, 39, and Rose Sulan
Nicor, 30, both from Barangay Laconon, T'boli, South Cotabato and Laurece Jane
Navara Tampil, 31, Barangay Mabuhay, General Santos City.

Also wounded
while on board the Ford Everest were Akmad Alonto Macarambon, 44, Ilian Marantao,
Lanao del Sur and Kasin Dalidig, 30, Victory Homes, Koroandal City.

The wounded
were confined at various hospitals in Koronadal City.

Initial
investigation showed that the Ford Everest was heading to Koronadal City from
Surallah, South Cotabato while the Nissan passenger van was coming from
opposite direction.

Along a
highway curve, Tenorio said the Everest tried to overtake a hauler truck it was
tailing but miscalculated the distance between it and the on-coming passenger
van.

Tenorio said
the Nissan van hit the side of the Ford Everest as it tried to return to its
lane.

Witnesses said
the accident happened so fast and the road was slippery due to heavy downpour.
Because of the impact, the Ford was thrown off the road toward the rice field.

Tenorio said
an empty bottle of wine was found in one of the involved vehicles, suggesting
that the driver could be under the influence of liquor at the time of accident.

There is no
substitute for driving with care, this is a reminder to all motorists
especially if they travel on a well paved road,” he said.