PNP: No foul play in death of DepEd exec

SAN PEDRO CITY, Philippines – Police investigators on Monday ruled out foul play in the death of Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Francis Varela in Baras, Rizal.

Senior Inspector Joseph Macatangay, the police chief of Baras, said by phone Monday that Varela, the DepEd Undersecretary for finance and administration, died in a big bike accident over the weekend.

READ: Education Undersecretary Francis Varela passes away

According to Macatangay, Varela’s death was considered by the police as a “self inflicted” accident as “he did not come in contact with any other vehicle” when the mishap that cost his life happened.
He said the 47-year-old education official was on his way back to Manila after having breakfast with a group of fellow biking enthusiasts in a resort in Tanay, Rizal on Saturday morning.
He was driving a big motorbike, about 1000 cc, with seven other riders along Marcos Highway in Barangay Pinugay when the accident happened.

READ: DepEd usec dies in motorbike crash
“He was the second (rider in line). There was this sharp, blind curve and it seemed he failed to hit the brake,” Macatangay said.

The next rider behind him was about seven meters away and saw the incident, Macatangay said.
Due to the impact of the crash, Varela tumbled and got separated from his bike  before hitting his head on the roadside metal railings. He sustained head injuries even if he was wearing a helmet, said Macatangay.

Varela was declared dead on arrival at the Antipolo City Community Hospital, he said.

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