SUV hits Isabela villagers conducting cleanup; 2 dead

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Philippines — Two village watchmen died and seven other villagers were seriously injured when a sport utility vehicle plowed into a group of people conducting a cleanup drive in Barangay Ballacayu, San Pablo, Isabela yesterday.

Ambrocio Lagundi, 47, and Rodrigo Pacion, 34, were declared dead on arrival at the Milagros District Hospital. 

Sangguniang Kabataan chairman Philip Macapagal 25; village watchman Anthony Soriano, 34; Francisco Allata, 30; Redentor Telan, 30; Aaron Soriano, 17; Jose Villaverde, 66, and Manuel Dayag, 57, were taken to the same hospital for treatment.

The driver of the Mitsubishi Montero, Marcial Que, 29,  was among those injured. Initial investigation showed that Que hit the villagers while overtaking another vehicle.

He is facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries.