Soldier dead in Zamboanga Sur road collision

Heavily damaged passenger van and motorcycle after a crash in Barangay Navalan, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur Monday night, July 8. Photo by Delio Comaling

PAGADIAN CITY –– A soldier was killed when his motorcycle collided with a passenger van in Barangay Navalan, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur Monday night, July 8.

Police Captain Nur Mahadi of the Tukuran police identified the victim as Staff Sergeant Delfin Balansag Austria, a resident of Molave town and assigned at the 1st Infantry Division in Camp Cesar Sang-an, Barangay Pulacan, Labangan town.

Mahadi said Austria was driving his motorcycle from Molave, en route to the military camp, when it swerved towards the left lane of the road.

Austria’s motorcycle then collided with a passenger van driven by Silvestre Maata Villar, who was en route to Molave from Pagadian City.

Austria was immediately brought to the Camp’s hospital but was declared dead on arrival by Dr. Ester Irene Lacson, the attending physician.

Mahadi said the driver of the van was temporarily held under the custody of the Tukuran Police Station for further investigation while the soldier’s body was transferred to a funeral parlor in Pagadian City. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)