Five cops hurt as van rams tree

By: Jennifer P. Rendon 

Five policemen from Antique province were injured after their van hit a signage post and store before it rammed a mango tree in Miag-ao town in Iloilo.

Police Major Dennis Pamonag, Miag-ao police chief, said the incident happened around 1:45 p.m. of October 16, as the victims were navigating a blind curve at Barangay Palaca.

Injured were Police Corporals Glen Alonsagay, Ma. Fe Noble, Mae Militante, Romeo Demafelis Jr., and Ares Espares.

They came from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) headquarters in Camp Delgado, Iloilo and were on their way back to Antique.

Pamonag said the five underwent a neuro-psychiatric examination, which is a requirement for promotion to the next higher rank.

They left Antique around 1:00 a.m. and finished their examination by 12:00 noon.

Demafelis was driving his own van.

Pamonag said the he could have dozed off while behind the wheel.

When the incident happened, the four other victims were sleeping.

Instead of maneuvering to his right, Demafelis went straight and stopped after ramming a tree.

Except for Alonsagay who suffered a fractured leg, all four victims sustained minor injuries.