Priest dies in motorcycle accident in Sultan Kudarat

TACURONG CITY — A diocesan priest serving in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, died Monday dawn, hours after he figured in a late evening vehicular accident here.

Father Allan Buendicho, DCC, parish priest of St. Joseph Parish in Lambayong,  died at the St. Louis Hospital here. He was 49 years old.

Fr. Ben Torreto, rector of the Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary, said Buendicho was driving a motorbike heading to Lambayong when he unintentionally hit a tricycle in front of him and was hit by another motorbike following him at past 10 p.m. Sunday along the National Highway linking Isulan town and Tacurong City.

Buendicho and a relative, identified as King Buendicho who was back-riding with the priest, had just come from a relative’s wake in Barangay Bambad, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Two of their companions, Kristian Buendicho and Jayson Maldo, who were riding on a separate motorbike, suffered minor injuries.

Fr. Edwin de Gracia, parish priest of President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, said Buendicho sustained serious head and stomach injuries. CBB/rga