Jolly trip to cemetery turns deadly

MANILA, Philippines—It was a playful journey to the cemetery that turned deadly.

John Clifford Soliven, 25, and his friend John Nicole Datiles, 17, were pushing each other while on their way to the Manila North Cemetery at around 4 a.m. on All Saints’ Day, police said.

But Datiles shoved Soliven really hard causing the latter to lose his balance, fall to the ground, then got ran over by a truck at the corner of CDC Street and Iriga Street in Barangay Paang Bundok, Quezon City, said Police Officer 1 Leonardo Policarpio of the Balintawak police station.

Soliven died on the spot while Datiles sustained injuries after his head hit the windshield of the Mitsubishi Canter Dropside Mini Truck, said Policarpio. Datiles was rushed to the Chinese General Hospital, he said.

The driver, Audie Estenzo Suede,32, told INQUIRER.net that it was a joke between two friends that turned deadly.

“Nagmamaneho ako pauwi sa Tondo nang naabutan ng truck na minamaneho ko yung dalawang biktima na nagtutulakan at nagbibiruan sa kalsada,” said Suede.

Policarpio said the driver could be charged with reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and physical injuries.