A factory worker was killed and his 17 coworkers were injured after being hit by a passenger jeepney Tuesday night in Pasig City. Police said the group of 18 men had just gotten off work at the Universal Robina Corp. plant and was waiting for a ride home on Amang Rodriguez Avenue when the wayward jeepney came rushing through. The injured victims were still down on the pavement when authorities arrived following the 10 p.m. accident.
The fatality was identified by the city’s traffic office as Greg Sancho, who was pronounced dead on arrival at Pasig City General Hospital. The other workers who were brought to Rizal Medical Center were identified as Jason Remetela, 22; Ariel Delos Santos, 23; Efren Nicerio, 25; Romeo Timbang, 23; Joel Navarro, 27; Dunsan Masada, 23; Adam Salamodin; Rodel Rimando, 35; Bryan Bibal, 25; Genuarel Endaya, 21; Jerome Sumbilla, 27; Justin Mangadi, 19; Mike Carillo, 21; Ricardo Tubice; John Verona; Aaron Viva Dela Paz; and Mark Anthony Trinidad. The police arrested the jeepney driver, Richard Portillo, who claimed that he lost control of the Marikina-bound vehicle, which had no passengers at the time, when the gas pedal malfunctioned. Portillo faced charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injuries. Kristine Felisse Mangunay