Ex-Barangay Captain Dies, Police Chief Injured in Crash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A former barangay captain died, and a town police chief sustained injuries following a motorcycle collision late morning on March 4 in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

Joel Ontanillas, 66, a resident of Barangay Tigbauan Road, Cabatuan, succumbed to head injuries and passed away while undergoing treatment at around 1 a.m. on March 5.

Reports revealed that Ontanillas was riding a Honda Beat Fi motorcycle from his home when the incident occurred.

As he exited his gate and attempted to make a left turn toward Janiuay town, his motorcycle collided with another driven by Police Lieutenant Francis Carona.

Captain Aileen Lacrite, Cabatuan police chief, said Carona repeatedly honked at Ontanillas in an attempt to prevent him from merging onto the road.

Carona, the San Rafael police chief and a resident of Lambunao, Iloilo, was heading toward Cabatuan town proper when the collision happened.

Ontanillas was rushed to Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Cabatuan, while Carona was taken to Dr. Ricardo Ladrido Memorial Hospital in Lambunao.

Carona sustained a fracture on his left arm.

Lacrite noted that the 40-year-old police officer was wearing a crash helmet, while Ontanillas was not.

Lacrite said the resolution of the case would be left to the parties involved.