‘Habal-habal’ falls off bridge in Quezon; 3 dead

LUCENA CITY–A “habal-habal” (motorcycle-for-hire) driver and two of his children passengers, died when they fell off a bridge in Lopez town in Quezon province on Tuesday.

A report from the Quezon police, said three other passengers were also seriously injured after the vehicle lost its brakes and consequently plunged more than 30 meters below the bridge in Barangay Villa Espina around 5:15 p.m.

Police said the motorcycle driver, Junior Ubana Francisco, 48, died on the spot, while Jennifer Collantes, 11, and Kent Cuaresma, 7, died while being rushed to a local hospital.

The report said three other passengers, Jennilyn Collantes, 8; Marissa Carreon, 16; and her brother Ismael, 15, all suffered serious injuries and were immediately transferred to a hospital in Lucena City.

“Habal-habal,” a motorcycle modified to seat more than two persons is a common means of transportation in remote areas./lb