4 killed, 2 hurt in South Cotabato road mishap

MANILA, Philippines—Four people were killed and two others were injured Tuesday in a head-on collision of two motorcycles in South Cotabato, police said Wednesday.

Police Officer 1 Federico Pulido said Anthony Lauya was driving a public utility motorcycle and was about to drop off two of his passengers in Barangay (village) San Felipe, New Iloilo when it collided with another single motorcycle around 3:30 a.m.

Onboard the second motorcycle were Michael Cahanding and his wife, Helen, who were on their way to Tacurong City, Pulido said.

He said the collision took place along the national highway in Purok Acacia.

Lauya, his backrider Ron Rick Villar, and the Cahanding couple were rushed to the hospital but were all declared dead on arrival, while two other back riders of Lauya, identified as Lenny Mao and a certain “Ella”, sustained injuries.

While the question of “who’s at fault” was yet to be determined, Pulido said the two drivers appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

“Parehong amoy alak reeking (Both are reeking of alcohol),” he said.