The Philippine National Police yesterday identified the five casualties and nine injured in a freak accident on the North Luzon Expressway in Apalit, Pampanga the other day.
Police Col. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, identified the fatalities as Genelyn Sibonga, Angelie Pacheco, Angelita Paltao, Leah Pellerin, and Mila Flores. The injured were Irene Adsal, Cristina Tomboc, Maricel Lamberto, Rizalee Valderama, Rohana Faren, Mylene Marcos, Irene Astoveza, Bernadette Tabaniera, and Jesa Mar Jonson.
Police Lt. Col. Elmer Decena, chief of the Apalit police, said that they are set to file charges of reckless driving resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property against John Leo Jaylo, 28, the driver of the Hyundai H100 semi-van that the victims were riding on.
“Nasa kustodiya pa rin namin siya at mag-fa-file kami ng kaso ngayong hapon,” Decena said. The raps would be filed before the San Fernando City, Pampanga fiscal’s office, he added.
Decena maintained that the death toll in the accident remains at five. Toll Regulatory Board spokesperson Alberto Suansing had earlier said the death toll has climbed to six with five injured.
Decena said the families of the three fatalities have claimed their bodies at the morgue Saturday night.
Two of the injured are being closely monitored because of their condition, he stated. “Hindi naman ganoon ka-kritikal pero nagpa-transfer sila from Ascom Hospital sa Apalit to JBL Hospital sa San Fernando. Mas kumpleto ang gamit doon,” he explained without disclosing the names of the victims he was referring to.
The Hyundai H100 semi-van with conduction sticker No. MR8220 was travelling on an elevated portion of the northbound lane of the NLEX Candaba Viaduct in Barangay Tabuyuc at around 12:30 p.m. when its left rear tire suddenly burst.
Investigators said Jaylo lost control of the vehicle until it swerved, hit a six-wheel Isuzu Elf truck, and turned turtle. Some of the victims were thrown off the vehicle and plunged into a residential area below as the van’s door opened.
Investigators suspect that the tire bust as the van was over speeding but they have yet to make a conclusion on the cause.
Of the 14 victims, 13 are overseas Filipino workers who were catching a 7 p.m. flight bound to Middle East at the Clark International Airport. (Martin A. Sadongdong)