3 call center agents die in Camiguin mishap

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, Philippines — Three call center agents died while 11 others were injured when their vehicle rolled over in an accident in this town on Saturday afternoon.

Julie Ann Mae Olive, Jovert de Asis and Ian Jumahalili died at the scene, according to Lt. Col. Roy Bahian, provincial police director.

The other passengers, including a four-year-old child, were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries.

The victims were in a Toyota Hi-Ace van that developed engine trouble as they were traveling in Sitio Quipasa, Barangay Poblacion.

Joy Sobremisana reportedly lost control of the wheel, causing the vehicle to crash into a field.

Sobremisana, who suffered minor injuries, was placed under police custody.

Most of the passengers were employees of IBEX Global, a business processing company based in Davao, who were in Mambajao for a team-building activity, according to Capt. Arnold Gaabucayan, town police chief.

The others were relatives of the employees.

The group arrived in Camiguin in the morning and went for a brief tour before proceeding to the Saay Cold Spring in Poblacion.

“They had no guide. Their plan was to go to the White Island but since it was already afternoon, they decided to go to Saay,” Gaabucayan said.

Meanwhile, in Pangasinan, two persons died while another was injured in a smashup in Binalonan town on Saturday night.

One of the fatalities was identified as Villamor Nagtalon, 63, of Diffun, Quirino.

The name of the other fatality was not immediately available, while the injured victim was identified as Jonel Nagtalon, 19, of Barangay Sto. Niño here.

Reports said a pickup, driven by Christopher Tomboc, 37, was traveling along Tavera street when it hit a van, a car, a tricycle and a bicycle driven by Villamor.

Tomboc was taken to the police station for questioning. – With Cesar Ramirez