Sta. Rosa police chief: ‘Help arrest truck driver in Laguna smashup’

MANILA, Philippines — Police appealed yesterday for public help to arrest the driver of a truck that crashed into 19 vehicles in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna on Saturday night, leaving six persons dead and 14 others injured.

Chief Superintendent Eugene Orate, Sta. Rosa police chief, said Anthony Bernardo of La Fortuna Hauling Services has yet to surrender after abandoning the truck, which was  loaded with steel bars, along the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay road.

Orate said representatives of the hauling company coordinated with the police following the accident.

”They told us they are ready to provide financial assistance to the victims,” he said in a text message.

“We pity the victims of this accident,” Orate added, noting that two children are among the dead. 

He said a manhunt for Bernardo is ongoing.

Probers are gathering evidence against the truck driver for the filing of charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property.    

Police appealed yesterday for public help to arrest the driver of a truck which crashed into 19 vehicles in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna on Saturday night that left six persons dead and 14 others injured.  

SK chairman, 2 others dead in road mishaps

Meanwhile, a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman and two other persons died in road accidents in Bulacan and Isabela in the past two days.

Mark Paolo Manaysay, SK chairman in Barangay Lugam and  president of the SK federation in Malolos, died when his silver Toyota sports car (NEL 68) rammed steel railings in Barangay Sto. Niño, Plaridel yesterday. The vehicle also crashed into a parked jeepney and another steel gate.

In Isabela, Jaylord Malayao, 23, kagawad of Barangay Fermeldy, Tumauini, was driving his motorcycle with Ignacio Domingo, 21, and William Masido on their way home after a drinking spree when it crashed into a concrete wall in Barangay San Mateo on Sunday.

Malayao and Domingo were declared dead in a hospital, where Masido remains confined. – With Ramon Efren Lazaro, Raymund Catindig