Mayor's daughter, cousin figure in road accident

CEBU, Philippines - The pregnant daughter of Tudela Mayor Rogelio Baquerfo and her cousin sustained injuries after the taxi they were riding in collided with another taxi at the corner of Ouano Avenue and E.O. Perez Street at the North Reclamation Area the other night.

Wella Baquerfo Fernandez, 25, a resident of barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City and her cousin Geraldine Dela Rama Cortez, 25, a resident of barangay Cambaro, Mandaue City are now recuperating at the Mandaue City Hospital.

Fernandez and Cortez were on board a Marmic taxi driven by Alberto Bonghanoy and were cruising E.O. Perez Street heading towards Ouano Avenue when another taxi driven by one Ramil Melendres hit the back portion of their vehicle.

“Padung unta mi sa Cebu Doctor’s University unya klaro man kaayo nga nakalabang na ko sa tunga pero kusog gyud kaayo ang iyang dagan,” Bonghanoy said describing the other taxi.

But Melendres argued it should have been Bonghanoy that gave a signal first.

“Kadto unta siya maoy mo-caution kay naa gyud ko nagsubay sa major road.Unya sa report sa traffic division, giklaro man ang akong parte. So sad-an gyud to ang driver sa Marmic taxi,” Melendres said.

PO1 Melvin Leones, traffic investigator from the Mandaue City police office, said it is still premature to determine who was at fault. He, however, clarified that a vehicle plying a minor road should take extra caution upon passing through a major road like the Ouano Avenue at the North Reclamation Area.

 The two taxi units have been impounded pending investigation of the accident. – Ramil V. Ayuman/JMO (FREEMAN NEWS)