Regions Briefs: March 22, 2019

4 dead as van hits ‘kuliglig’ in Isabela

TUMAUINI, ISABELA—Four people were killed after their tractor-drawn trailer (“kuliglig”) was hit by a passenger van along the national highway at Barangay Liwanag here on Thursday, police said. Senior Insp. Frances Littaua, Isabela provincial police spokesperson, said Jaime Infiel, 63; Catalina Cabasi, 57; Mila Barbieto, 59; and Christine Barbieto, 3, all of Lalauanan village here, died while being taken to Isabela Provincial Hospital in Ilagan City.—VILLAMOR VISAYA JR.

72 Bicol villages declared ‘drug-free’

LEGAZPI CITY—The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) has declared at least 72 villages in Bicol region drug-free, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Thursday. Christian Frivaldo, PDEA acting regional director, said the DDB’s regional oversight committee had certified that the campaign against illegal drugs had succeeded in 22 villages in Albay province, 20 in Camarines Norte province, 12 in Masbate province, 11 in Sorsogon province, and seven in Catanduanes province. —MAR ARGUELLES