5 die in E. Samar vehicular mishap

Five persons, including a policewoman, died when a passenger bus sideswiped their van in Quinapondan town in Eastern Samar Sunday night.

Police Officer 1 Lea Caores of the Eastern Samar police, Wendell Amande and sisters Rowena and Judy Ann Malindog died at the scene while seven-year-old Reggie Guerra died while undergoing treatment at the Immaculate Concepcion Hospital in nearby Gen. MacArthur town.

Town police chief Senior Inspector Elmerson Davilla said the victims, along with eight others, were on their way to Borongan from Tacloban when a DLTB bus (ADA-1586) rammed their vehicle in Barangay Bagte at around 6:40 p.m. Davilla said the van fell on its side. Van driver William Galenzoga was not hurt in the accident while bus driver Roland Mondal suffered injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, physical injury, and damage to property will be filed against Mondal, Davilla said.

Meanwhile, two persons died in separate accidents in San Jacinto and Bayambang towns in Pangasinan over the weekend.

Zaldy Calimlim, 49, was inflating a rubber tire when it burst, sending him crashing into a wall in Barangay Guibel, San Jacinto last Friday.

Calimlim was declared dead on arrival at the Mapandan Community Hospital due to a head injury.

On the same day, mechanic Narbirto dela Cruz, 49, died after an improvised shotgun went off, hitting him in the chest in Bayambang .

Reports said Dela Cruz was walking in barangay Bical when his shoulder bag fell to the ground. He was about to pick up the bag when the shotgun inside it went off.

Dela Cruz died while being treated at the Bayambang District Hospital.