11 killed, 5 hurt in vehicular collision in Cagayan

MANILA, Philippines – Eleven people who had just come from a wake were killed and five were injured in a vehicular collision early Thursday morning, July 11, in Cagayan in northern Philippines, according to the Cagayan Provincial Information Office (PIO).

In a Facebook post, the Cagayan PIO said the collision happened in Barangay Ayaga, Abulug town, Cagayan. It also posted photos of the two vehicles involved, a red Florida bus and a black Toyota Hilux SUV pickup. 

The photos show the black Toyota SUV an almost total wreck and the Florida bus’ front windshield and other windows badly damaged. The Hilux crashed into a public market after the collision, while the bus ran aground against a wall.

In an interview with radio DZBB, Abulug Police Station Commander Major Antonio Palattao said the collision happened past midnight at a highway intersection in the village of Ayaga. 

He said all 11 killed were passengers of the Toyota Hilux, which had 14 people on board including the driver. They all had just come from a relative’s wake in Flora, Apayao province in the Cordillera Administrative Region and were returning home to Barangay Dana-Ili, Allacapan, Cagayan.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Abulug identified 10 of those killed: Rodolfo Time Sr. and his son Rodolfo Jr.; siblings Evelyn Time and Christina Jane Time; and their relatives Mary Jane Time, Lovely Time, Crishia Shane Time, Kimberly Mangupag-Time, Rodelyn Time, and Angel Time. A GMA 24 Oras report identified the other fatality as Esmeralda Israel. 

Most of them were apparently seated at the bed of the Hilux pickup and fell off after the collision. They were dead on arrival at the hospital, said Palattao.

The driver of the Toyota Hilux, Nestor Mangupag, a resident of Gattaran, Cagayan, was also related to the passengers who were all residents of Allacapan, Cagayan.

Palattao said the pickup driver and two young girls seated in front of the pickup were injured and were brought to a hospital along with the Florida bus driver and the bus conductor. 

The Florida bus driver, Jay-jet Andrada, a resident of barangay Logac, Lal-lo, Cagayan, broke his leg.

Palattao said the Florida bus, which came from Baguio City and was on its way to Sta. Ana, Cagayan, had “right of way” on the national highway but was not able to avoid the Toyota SUV after the latter suddenly appeared at the highway junction Ayaga. 

A post on Cagayan PIO’s Facebook said that based on initial investigation, the pickup truck was on the provincial road of Barangay Ayaga and was turning toward the national highway but got hit by the Florida bus.

Palattao said the collision could been avoided had the vehicles slowed down at the intersection. 

Twenty-three passengers of the Florida bus sustained minor injuries such as bruises and had all gone home. 

Palattao said police will look at the CCTV footage so they can determine how the collision happened. He said the bus driver will face a complaint of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and damage to property. – Rappler.com