3, including baby girl, die in road accidents

Three died, including a one-year-old girl, in separate road mishaps in the cities of Naga and Lapu-Lapu.

The baby was carried by her 13-year-old cousin and they were on board a motorcycle that the baby's mother was driving.

They were travelling on the national highway of Barangay South, Poblacion, Naga at around 7 p.m.

Police Officer 2 Arnel Olmoges, investigator of the case, said there was a Ceres bus on the way to the south and occupying the inner lane while the motorcycle was on the outer lane.

While they were negotiating a curve portion of the road, the bus, driven by Jay Bercero, 33, of Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City, allegedly overtook a multicab and suddenly turned right hitting the motorcycle.

"Nanga hulog gyud ni sila tulo unya ang bata kay nalatayan sa ligid sa bus," said Olmoges.

The baby was identified as Lemelfa Omayao while the cousin holding her was Fritzie Cabrera and the mother was identified as Maria Josefa.

Fritzie and Maria Josefa sustained minor injuries while the baby was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Bercero is now under the custody of Naga City police. The family of the victims has yet to decide whether they will file a case against the driver.

In Lapu-Lapu City, George Sanchez, 14, who was driving a motorcycle, and his 24-year-old companion who was identified only as "Amay" died after they crashed into a concrete plant box near a business establishment in Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The two victims, both residents of Liloan town, suffered severe injuries due to the impact that caused their immediate death.

Senior Inspector Jimmy Fortes of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-Traffic Enforcement Unit (LCPOTEU) said both were declared dead on arrival at the LapuLapu City District Hospital.

Initial investigation revealed that Sanchez, who was reportedly drunk, was driving fast.

Fortes said the security guard on duty of the business establishment noticed the two already sprawled on the ground.

He immediately contacted Mactan Police Station 2 to report the matter.

It was alleged that prior to the incident, Sanchez stole the motorcycle from a neighbor.

Sanchez's father has settled the matter with the motorcycle owner. —

Christell Fatima M. Tudtud and Ermida Q. Moradas/MBG

The victim identified as Ryan Pangalay, 30, was driving his jeepney when he was shot in the head twice that caused his death.

"Naay motor na nakit-an nga ni sabay dinhi sa passenger side and ang back rider ni pullout og firearm ug gipusil ang biktima. Taud-taud duna poy niabot nga motor didto napud sa pikas sa driver's side. Gitiwasan ang victim. Tandem gihapon ni ang ikaduha," PO2 Arnel Resente of Minglanilla police said.

Recovered from the crime scene were three empty shells of a .45 caliber handgun and one deformed slug.

Resente said that they are still conducting an investigation to determine the possible motive of the shooting and identification of the gunmen.

Last Wednesday, a 51-year-old habal-habal driver was also shot dead just a few minutes after dropping off a passenger in Barangay Manduang, Minglanilla.

Victim Romeo Tarding, was on his way back to Barangay Poblacion when he was shot in the chest by an unknown gunman.

Tarding was rushed to Minglanilla District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physicians.

In Talisay City, a sari-sari store owner was shot dead by his customer in Barangay Lawaan 1 on Wednesday at around 8 p.m.

The victim was identified by the police as Marlou Sitchon, 42. —

Ermida Q. Moradas and Shaira Nicole M.Ymbong, STC Comm Intern/MBG