Cop, woman killed in ComVal road collision

TAGUM CITY, Philippines–A policeman and his female companion died when their vehicle collided with a passenger bus on the Davao-Agusan highway in Monkayo, Compostela Valley early Tuesday, police said.

Police 0fficer 3 Arnel Nueva, 36, and Prez Ponte, were killed instantly when the Mitsubishi Strada pickup they were riding slammed into a Bachelor Express bus on a sloping road in Sitio Highlander, Barangay (village) Baylo around 5:45 a.m., according to Inspector Mervin Montecillo, Monkayo police deputy chief.

The bus driver, Cresencio Milo Jr., 36, and six passengers were also hurt, Montecillo said.

Montecillo said Nueva and Ponte were cruising toward Butuan City when their pickup suddenly swerved into the opposite lane, hitting the Davao City-bound.

“According to witnesses, the (pickup) was traveling at high speed and its driver apparently lost control  due to the road being very slippery, causing the vehicle to hit the (oncoming) bus,” Montecillo said by phone.

Milo said the bus was negotiating an uphill portion of the highway when he saw the car careening into his lane.

“I tried evading it but the (pickup) was too fast,” said the bus driver, who sustained injuries to the forehead.

Montecillo said both fatalities were residents of Mintal, Davao City, and that the policeman was assigned at the Davao City public safety company.

The injured passengers were brought to the nearest hospital for treatment, Montecillo added.