2 teeners hit and killed by van driven by drunk man; 3 others hurt

PANGLAO, Bohol — Two teenagers were killed while two others were in critical condition after they were hit by a van who was driven by a drunk driver, in this town, early morning Thursday, police said.

PO1 Philbert Amante of the Panglao Police Station, identified the fatalities as Wendy Lusterio, 17; and Mark Anthony Carlang, 15, both residents of Purok 7, Poblacion, Panglao.

Those in critical condition were identified as John Anthony Billones, 15; and Patrideo Hora, 17, also of Poblacion. Jerry Mae Bais, 13, of Purok 1 Poblacion, had a minor injury.

The five teenagers were watching a live band in Barangay (village) Looc, which was celebrating its barangay fiesta on Wednesday night.

When the event ended at about 1:20 a.m. on Thursday, they began to walk home to the Barangay Poblacion in Panglao.

They were walking along the highway at the boundary of Barangays Bil-isan and Looc when a gray Starex van (Plate Number JCC 878) hit them, slamming them on the cemented road.

The driver, Gumamerto Aplacador, 45, told the police that he did not notice the five boys while driving home  to Purok 5 in Barangay Poblacion.

“He just noticed (he hit something) when he heard a bump,” said Amante.

He added Aplacador was also drunk at that time.

Amante said that four teenagers were brought to Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, about 20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City.

Panglao, a popular tourist destination, has no hospital.

Aplacador was  detained at the Panglao Police Station detention cell pending the filing of  reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide and serious physical injuries.  SFM