Army seeks amicable settlement with family of road crash victims in Sulu

Patikul (outlined in red) in Sulu (Image from Google Maps)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — The Army’s 1102nd Infantry Brigade in Sulu province is seeking an amicable settlement with the family of two victims of a road crash on Wednesday (June 2) in Patikul town.

First Lt. Jerrica Manongdo, spokesperson of the Joint Task Force Sulu, confirmed that there was negotiation on Thursday for a settlement.

The negotiation was reportedly facilitated by Patikul Mayor Kadir Hayudini.

Several soldiers of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, who were aboard an armored personnel carrier, figured in a road accident in Patikul’s Kan-Ague village at past 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Michael Bawayan, Sulu police director, said the Jalil brothers Adzmar, 38, and Darwin, 28, were heading home to Barangay Taglibi on a motorcycle when they collided with the military vehicle.

Both died on the spot.

Citing the account of witnesses, Bawayan said that the motorcycle first hit the cartwheel of a fishball vendor as it tried to overtake. Losing balance, it swerved towards the other lane and rammed into the oncoming military vehicle.

“In behalf of the men and women of the Philippine Army’s 1102nd Infantry Brigade, we extend our condolences to the families of Mr. Adzmar Jalil and Darwin Jalil, who both died in a tragic accident after their motorcycle collided with the 1102nd Infantry Brigade’s wheeled armored vehicle,” Manongdo said in a statement.

In a separate statement, Brig. Gen. Benjamin G. Batara, the brigade commander, assured the victims’ families “that our men who were involved in the incident will cooperate with the authorities as they conduct an impartial investigation on the matter.”

The brigade also pledged to provide financial assistance to the families.

The brothers work for a construction project in Patikul — Adzmar as foreman and Darwin as a carpenter.

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