By Jennifer P. Rendon
Three road incidents occurred in Iloilo province in a span of three hours.
The incidents, which happened in the towns of Sara, Leon, and Dumangas, claimed seven lives.
In Leon, motorcycle rider Gabriel Cañotillo, 24, of Barangat Agboy Norte, Leon, Iloilo, was killed after he rammed into a water tanker 7:05 p.m. of March 4 at Barangay Camagaon.
Alle Aguilera, 35, of Isaiah Norte, Leon, told police investigators that he was driving an Isuzu water tanker going to Barangay Pandan, Leon when he heard a thud from behind.
When he alighted from the vehicle and checked, he saw Cañotillo slumped on the road.
Aguilera called for help and took the victim to Aleosan District Hospital where the latter was declared dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, the incident at Bonifacio Street, Dumangas, at 12:55 a.m. of March 5 claimed two lives.
Police identified the victims as Remy Maglaya and John Lloyd Dequilla, both residents of Barangay Ermita, Dumangas.
Their companion, Melbert Fernandez, was injured in the incident.
Police reports indicated that the three were on their way home on a motorcycle when the driver lost control of the steering handle.
The motorcycle swerved to the left side of the road, rammed into a concrete post, and the trio was off the bike. They were taken to the hospital but Maglaya and Dequilla did not pull through.
Three hours later, an incident at Sitio Baklayan, Barangay Apelo, Sara, claimed four lives.
The victims were identified as Henry Diyan Jr., 36, a resident of Barangay Milibili, Roxas City, Capiz; An Rey Sinoy, 26, of Barangay Bankal, Lemery, Iloilo; Norsan Romualdo, 27, of Barangay Pasig, Sara; and Jojo Ciudad, 31, a resident of Barangay Arante, Sara.
Diyan was driving an Isuzu wing van when he lost control and plowed into a sari-sari store and a corn dryer owned by Engr Noli Paciente.
Sinoy was the truck helper while Romualdo and Ciudad were working at the corn dryer’s facility.
They were brought to Sara District Hospital but the four were all declared dead.
Several vehicular incidents happened in Iloilo province since last week.
But in January 2021, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) recorded a decline in the number of public safety index crimes, or vehicular incidents, in January 2021, compared to the same period last year.
IPPO statistics showed 185 vehicular incidents, or 98 cases from last year’s 283.
The IPPO has cited the efforts of Ilonggo cops to keep the highways and other roads in the province safe for motorists and pedestrians alike.
The IPPO has been implementing Oplan Hilway Dalan, which puts premium on enforcement of traffic laws, like the wearing of helmet, driving with license; and the establishment of road signs in coordination with the local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
