3 die, 8 hurt in Batangas road accidents

SAN PEDRO CITY, Philippines — Separate road accidents in Batangas province left three people dead and eight others injured on the first day of the year, police said Tuesday.

In Batangas City, Samuel John Blanco, 23, of Barangay Balete, died in a motorcycle crash minutes past New Year’s Eve in Barangay Sta. Rita.

A police report said Blanco sustained severe injuries and died on the way to the Batangas Medical Center.

In Taal town, a four-vehicle collision happened around 8:30 p.m. Monday along the diversion road in Barangay Latag.

According to the police, the car driven by Malvin Mendoza swerved into the opposite lane and hit an oncoming tricycle, a motorcycle, and a van.

The tricycle driver, Loreto Paner Jr., and his passenger Jamaica Serwelas were killed.

Injured were motorcycle driver Gilbert Brebonera, his backrider Melanie Marasigan, and van driver Roberto Alcala. Mendoza was brought to the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery town.

In San Juan, two motorcycles collided head on in Barangay Maraykit around 1 a.m.  Tuesday.

The drivers and passengers of both vehicles identified as Jerico Gabo, Mark Laurence Galit, Fortunato Labahon and Ivy Labahon were all hurt and rushed to different hospitals. /cbb