13 Japanese nationals, 1 Australian injured in road accidents in Naga, Badian

At least 13 Japanese nationals and two Filipinos were injured in a vehicular accident along the national road of Barangay Lagtang, Naga City, Cebu around 3:30 a.m. Saturday.

Police identified the Japanese nationals as Arai Maho, Matsuyama Seina, Mamba Kei, Manami Komatsu, Murakawa Ran, Shoma Minamitani, Taiyo Ishihara; Fumiya Taniguchi, Tenyo Hirai, Kohsei Oka, Junya Shimomura, Kotaro Hashimoto, and Kosei, Yoshida.

Also injured in the accident were a Filipina tourist guide identified as Michelle Apawan, 33, a resident of Mandaue City; and the van driver identified as Baby June Fabillar Limpag, 43, a resident of Labangon, Cebu City, who sustained injuries to his leg.

Both the 29-year-old truck driver, identified as Randy Ypil Lato, a resident of Cogon Guinsay, Danao City; and his truck boy did not sustain injuries during the collision.

In a phone interview, Police Staff Sargent Niel Villaceran of Naga City Police Station said that the truck was delivering tires in the area.

He said the truck was already on the national road from an intersection and was about to make a left turn going to Cebu City when the driver of tourist van, which was traveling in the opposite lane, reportedly did not notice the vehicle and hit it.

He added that the victims were immediately brought to a nearby hospital for medical attention while the truck driver was brought to Naga City Police Station for further investigation. Later, both parties had settled the incident.

BADIAN ACCIDENT

Meanwhile, an Australian national and her Filipina backrider were injured after their motorcycle hit a truck in Barangay Malabago, Badian, Cebu, Friday afternoon.

The motorcycle, which was driven by a 19-year-old Australian identified as Savannah Ruby Miller, reportedly veered in the opposite lane and hit an oncoming truck driven by Edilberto Sanchez Andong Jr., 53, a resident of Barangay Sto. Niño, Malabuyoc, Cebu.

Miller fractured her leg and obtained injuries in her face. Her backrider identified as Angel Chi Ahit Aranquez, 19, a resident of Purok 1A Barangay Kisante, Makilala, North Cotabato, also sustained minor injuries.

The two women were travelling after having a zipline adventure when the accident happened.

They were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. -