THREE PERSON DIED, 20 WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN MARCOS HIGHWAY TUBA, BENGUET

March 10, 2025 JUST IN

Tuba, Benguet (March 9, 2024)

Three passengers died on the spot while 20 others were brought to the hospital after the black Nissan NV350 van with plate number NFZ 7506 they were aboard heading to the lowlands from Baguio City, lost its brakes at around 4:40AM Sunday, March 9, 2025, rammed into a stone paraphet but the strong impact sent the van at the middle of the highway in sitio Bantiway, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet. Tuba town Rural Health Unit physician Dr. Angeline F. Calatan declared Justine Nichole Fernandez Bungay, 22, from Minalin, San Francisco, Pampanga; Homer Lopez Lozano, 46 from Mabical, Floridablanca, Pampanga; and Arlene Apilado Nanquil, 56, also from Mabical, Floridablanca, Pampanga.

Hurt and brought to the hospital were Jomer Joshua Fernandez Bungay, 12, from Mabical, Floridablanca; Corina Pineda Paguio, 58, also from Mabical, Floridablanca; Ryan Lopez Paguio, 48, also from Mabical, Floridablanca; Phoebe Pineda Paguio, 11, also from Mabical, Floridablanca; Enrico Sagad Nanquil, 56, also from Mabical, Floridablanca; Hazel Apilado Nanquil, 18, also from Mabical; Batrolnel Perez Apilado, 60, from San Fernando, La Union; Jamaica Maissie Fernandez Bungay, 21, also from Mabical, Floridablanca; Ashianna Claire De Guzman, 2, also from Mabical, Floridablanca; Jake De Guzman, 23, also from Mabical, Floridablanca; Jenica Jirah Santos, 14, from Porac, Pampanga; Janela Jirah Santos, 9, also from Porac, Pampanga; Jilian Santos, 7, also from Poras, Pampanga; Erlinda BartomoleLopez, 71, from Mabical, Floridablanca, Pampanga; Hezekiel Prietos Lopez, 18, also from Mabical, Floridablanca; Estella Nataleigh Lopez Bungay, 3; Mabical, Floridablanca; Kelvin Ocampo, 21, also from Mabical, Floridablanca; Jennifer Lopez Santos, 47, from Pais, Porac, Pampanga; and Janella Mariz Fernandez Bungay, 11, also from Mabical, Floridablanca, Pampanga.

Tuba police probers said van driver Berlin Sagad Lopez, 66, from Mabical, Floridablanca, Pampanga was taken by the Tuba police for questioning and to ascertain if he will face criminal and administrative charges. Tuba town police chief Major James Acod said the remaining 14 passengers, including the driver, were discharged after receiving medical attention, while those with more serious injuries remain at the BGHMC.

Artemio A. Dumlao