Car plows through Cavite band members, 16 injured

CAMP GEN. PANTALEON GARCIA, IMUS, Cavite – A band leader and 15 of his bandmates performing to wake up residents attending misa de gallo (dawn mass) were injured, when they were rammed before dawn Tuesday by a car driven by a drowsy hotel employee in Bacoor City.

Raccie Garcia Torres, 35 was last listed in critical condition at Saint Dominic Medical Center in Bacoor.

Two other band members, both minors, are under observation.

Jhapet John Cac Gulmatico, 23, the car driver, surrendered to police after the incident.

He told investigators that he was tired and sleepy at the time of the accident.

Superintendent Vicente S. Cabatingan, Bacoor police chief, said that Gulmatico is a hotel service crewman and a resident of Imus City.

The victims are members of the Barangay Maliksi Marching Band who volunteered to play Christmas music in the neighborhood to help awaken residents who wish to go to attend misa de gallo.

Aside from Torres, the other injured band members are Wilbert De Lima San Juan, 13; Christian Joe Eusebio Silapan, 12; Gilbert Flores San Juan, 18; Erwin Acuna De Leon, 37; Adrian Golosino Amangka, 17; Cyryll Jade Ruba Boysa, 11; John Rey Teodoro Dela Cruz, 12; Harold Christian Carillo Oclima, 11; Roel Consurado Delima, 13; Nheriel De Lima San Juan, 15; Mark llyod Tendencia Aro, 13; Nicole Sumaway Bacani 16; Jhoanna Pocaan Manalo, 14, Crisanto Berico Santos, 20 and Lopez Valdez 22.

Torres, San Juan and Silapan sustained head injuries.

The rest of the injured band members were discharged from hospital after treatment.