By Jennifer P. Rendon
A family of three was killed after their vehicle collided with a 10-wheeler truck early morning of June 10, 2022 in a road intersection at Barangay Dawis, New Lucena, Iloilo.
The fatalities were identified as Angelito Somblingo, 33; his son Lance Somblingo, 11; and his nephew Angelo Somblingo, 12, all residents of Barangay Barasan Este, Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
Corporal Robertson Jamandron, New Lucena traffic police investigator, said the three victims were declared dead on the spot by responding personnel of the Municipal Disaster Risk and Reduction Office.
The incident also injured Angelo’s mother Hilda Somblingo, 48, and his brother Mark Somblingo, 20, also residents of Barangay Barasan-Este, Santa. Barbara, Iloilo; and cousin Reymechian Gedoria, 10, a resident of Barangay Gemumua-Agahon, Passi City, Iloilo.
The group of six was on board a customized tricycle, locally known as angkar-angkar, from their home in Santa Barbara town and were on their way to Passi City when the incident happened around 3:45 a.m. of Friday.
As both vehicles came into collision, the tricycle went wayward and the victims were thrown off their vehicle.
The victims were rushed to Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan town.
Jamandron said Hilda was supposed to see a folk healer for the treatment of an unspecified illness.
As Angelito was navigating an intersection, he collided with a 10-wheeler Suzuki wing van driven by Jimmy Ramos, 37, of Barangay Imbang Grande, Passi City.
The truck came from Zarraga town and was also on its way to Passi City when the incident happened.
Witnesses claimed that the truck was speeding prior to the incident.
“There were rumble strips on the road leading to the intersection. Motorists should have slowed down,” he said.
Jamandron said there are already initial talks between the two parties for a possible settlement.
