2 youths killed in traffic accident

MANILA, Philippines—Two youths were killed when their speeding motorcycle smashed into a bus on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City past midnight Wednesday.

Mamerto Balgos IV, 19 and Christopher Villablance, 20, were killed on the spot on the eastbound lane of the highway near the Commission on Audit building.

Traffic investigator Police Officer 2 Allan Paul Florendo said both men were residents of Bituan Compound in Barangay Commonwealth.

The victims’ motorcycle slammed into the rear of the Precious Grace Transport bus, which had just stopped to allow passengers to alight, police said, adding the two youths had no protective helmets on.

Initial investigation showed that bus driver Ruben Bolanos, 49, had just stopped his Fairview-bound bus in front of the COA building when a loud thud was heard from the back of the bus.

The noise prompted the bus conductor Gerald Catibog to get off the bus and check the source of the noise.

Florendo said the two young men were discovered bloodied and under the bus, while the front of the motorcycle was crushed as a result of the impact.

Quoting witnesses’ accounts, the investigator said the motorcycle was speeding.