8 killed in 2 road mishaps in Surigao del Norte, Bukidnon

The ill-fated gold Mitsubishi Fusion. Five of its passengers died on Friday. Erwin Mascariñas

BUTUAN CITY – Eight people, including two children, were killed and over 30 others were injured in separate road mishaps in Surigao del Norte and Bukidnon provinces on Thursday and Friday, authorities said.

Of the eight, five were killed in a mishap along the national highway in Alegria town, Surigao del Norte on Friday afternoon.

The Alegria police said a gold Mitsubishi Fusion with plate number KDP 713, driven by Yul Arbis, 43, of Barangay Ambago here; and a white Isuzu D-Max with plate number KGN 141 driven by Manolito Cubelo Acuzar, 51, of Barangay Bonifacio, Surigao City, were traveling in the same direction towards Butuan City.

Acuzar reportedly tried to overtake the Fusion, but hit the side of the car, which crashed into a mango tree.

Residents and passing commuters rescued the passengers trapped inside the Mitsubishi Fusion but five of them died. They were identified as Brylle Viray, 19; Joe Basil Viray, 22; Joseph Evan B. Arbis, 55; Max Russel Bayutas, 15; all residents of barangay Obrero here; and Donafel Granada, 20, a resident of Barangay Curbada in Bayugan City.

The Fusion driver and his son, Yul Adrian, and another passenger named Rusty Bayutas remained in a hospital.

Two of Acuzar’s other passengers were also injured.

In Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, three persons were killed when a passenger bus turned on its side on Thursday, according to Bukidnon police spokesperson Senior Insp. Joselle Longakit.

Witnesses said a Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. bus tried to avoid a crossing pedestrian but the driver lost control of the vehicle, which turned on its side.

Longakit identified those killed as passengers Irene Gaa, 30, of Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro; and Regine Abug, 10, of Purok 2, Barangay Maligaya, Malaybalay. They were pinned down by the bus.

A bystander, Jomiaca Tacay, 14, of Barangay Patpat in Malaybalay City, was also killed when the bus rammed her.

Most of the bus’ 28 passengers, including the driver, the bus fare collector, and a police officer suffered wounds. /lb