Cop trainee killed in Negros Oriental road accident

CEBU, Philippines —  A police trainee was killed in a road accident along the national highway in Barangay Malalangsi, Pamplona, Negros Oriental several hours before the New Year.

The fatality was identified as Miguel Don Lester Cabugnason, 24, a resident of Barangay Malalangsi.

Police Officer 3 Rengie Fernandes of Pamplona Police Station said that Cabugnason was on his way to their police station to report.

Based on report, the victim was driving his motorcycle along a curvy part of the highway when a stray dog suddenly crossed the street and bumped into the front part of his motorcycle.

Because of the strong impact, the motorcycle swerved to the side of the road and crashed into a coconut tree. Cabugnason’s head was severely injured, according to Fernandes.

Cabugnason was immediately rushed to a hospital in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

In Madridejos

Meanwhile, a 43-year-old pedicab driver died in a hit-and-run incident in Barangay Poblacion, Madridejos, Cebu on Monday evening

The victim was identified as Celso Arnasan, 43, a resident of Barangay Poblacion.

Case investigator Police Officer 2 Abel Nasataya told The FREEMAN that the victim was drunk when the accident occurred.

Allegedly, Arnasan was driving his pedicab in a zigzag manner when a XRM motorcycle driven by Edward Cena, 32, hit his pedicab. Arnasan fell and hit the pavement hard.

"Nabunal ni ang ulo sa victim sa sementado nga dalan kay dako iyang samad sa ulo," said Nasataya.

Allegedly, Cena immediately left the area after the incident.

The victim was rushed to Bantayan District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Nasataya said that witnesses helped in identifying the suspect.

Police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation against the suspect and found him in his residence in Barangay Kangwayan, Madridejos.

Nasataya said that Cena did not resist arrest but denied that the incident was a case of hit and run.

"Ang iyang ingon nga gibalikan daw niya ang victim pero nag-sige daw kuno og yaw-yaw kay hubog maong iyang gibiyaan. So hit and run gihapon kay wala man niya gitabangan," said Nasataya.

The suspect is now temporarily detained at the Madridejos Police Station while the family of the victim has yet to decide whether they will file a case against him.

The suspect assured the family of the victim that he will give assistance for the burial expenses of the victim. (FREEMAN)