5 dead in Negros, La Union road mishaps

MANILA, Philippines - Five persons died while four others were wounded in separate vehicular accidents in Negros Occidental and La Union on Sunday.

Motorcycle driver Jessie Servano, 24, of Iloilo, died at the scene, while one of his passengers, Wilmar Catanaman, died in a hospital after they figured in an accident in Talisay Ciy, Negros Occidental.

Taken to the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in nearby Silay City for treatment were Rodolfo Salem, his wife Clea Joy and their daughter Sofia, and Servano’s other passenger Edmund Sanao.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Jayvee Romero died at the scene while his passengers Dinesan Albay, 13, and Orlando Llavore were declared dead on arrival in a hospital after their motorcycle collided with a van in Sto. Tomas, La Union.

Investigation showed Romero lost control of the wheel and hit the van driven by Romeo Gapuz in Barangay San Francisco.

Talisay City police chief Superintendent Adonis Rosales said Servano overtook three vehicles along the airport access road in Barangay Efigenio Lizares and collided with a car driven by Salem at past 5 a.m.

Salem’s car burst into flames after the collision. Another car owned by a judge suffered damage during the incident.

Police said Servano was driving without a license.