NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur – Two security guards and school canteen lady manager of Holy Spirit Academy of Laoag in Ilocos Norte were killed while three other companions were injured Saturday afternoon when an owner-type jeep they were riding on fell into a 50-foot deep ravine while traversing a downward curve of a national highway in Sitio Cacaldingan, Barangay Lungog here.
Chief Inspector Rex Buyucan, Narvacan town chief of police, identified the fatalities as Tranquilino “Jun” Gamiao, Jr., jeep driver; Bernanditas Tejero Duerme and Danny Rivera. The two males were security guards and Duerme worked as canteen manager, all from HSAL.
Injured companions were Alfredo Madriaga of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte; Fatima Tejero Duerme and Dennis Pascual, both of Laoag City. Fatima is the 18-year-old daughter of Bernanditas while the two males are security guard and maintenance worker of HSAL, respectively.
Investigation showed that Gamiao apparently lost control of the jeep while descending the curve portion of the highway at about 4:30 p.m., Saturday, causing the vehicle to fall into the ravine.
The victims were on their way home to Ilocos Norte after attending the burial rites of their relatives in Tayum, Abra, when the accident happened.
“I prayed to God when somebody shouted we were going down the cliff,” Dennis, one of the survivors, said in Iluko. “I was thrown out from the jeep. When I rushed towards my companions below, I saw their bloodied bodies.
climbed the hill and called the help of passing motorists. First to arrive were the vice mayor of Narvacan, town policemen and barangay officials,” he added. (Freddie G. Lazaro/Theo S. Guiang/GA/JG)
