Absence of road warning signs blamed for Davao Sur mishaps

MAGSAYSAY, DAVAO DEL SUR – A police officer in this town suffered serious physical injuries after the motorcycle he was driving crashed along the Davao-Cotabato national highway in Barangay New Opon, around 6:30 p.m., Saturday.

PO2 Albert Angcon, the town’s traffic police investigator, on Sunday said PO3 Edwin Nacilla Antipuesto, 38, married, and assigned at the Magsaysay police station, was driving his motorcycle when the incident happened.

He said Antipuesto, a resident of Osias, Kabacan, North Cotabato, was traveling from Old Bulatukan, Makilala, Cotabato heading towards Bansalan, Davao del Sur, when upon reaching the said place, suddenly applied the brakes and crashed down the pavement because he did not notice the unfinished road construction.

Angcon said the police officer suffered serious physical injuries in different parts of his body and was immediately brought to Viacrusis Medical Hospital in Bansalan. He was later transferred to Digos Doctors Hospital in Digos City.

Motorcycle drivers have long been complaining of the absence of early warning devices on road construction in the province.

Earlier, Senior Supt. Allan Manibog, provincial police director, said they would coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways after they noticed that some of the contractors did not warn the public about the accident-prone areas and road rehabilitation areas. ORLANDO B. DINOY