Jeepney fall kills seaman in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A seaman died after falling from the back of a passenger jeepney on the evening of Sept. 7 in Pavia, Iloilo.

The victim, identified only as alias Roel, 43, of Barangay Anonang, Leon, Iloilo, sustained head injuries after hitting the pavement.

He died shortly after being rushed to Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

According to reports, Roel had clung to the rear of the jeepney after a passenger alighted at Bangga Singko in Pavia.

The driver, alias Rojean, 36, of Barangay Oluangan, Leon, said he did not notice anyone hitching a ride when his passenger got off.

Several passengers said they urged Roel to get inside the vehicle, as there were still vacant seats and it was drizzling.

However, Roel refused and was seen pulling what appeared to be a mobile phone from his pocket.

Pavia police chief Capt. Ritz Field Presquito said no one saw the exact moment Roel fell off the jeepney along Barangay Jibao-an.

A passenger noticed Roel was no longer clinging to the vehicle about 100 meters from where he likely fell.

The jeepney turned back and found Roel lying in the middle of the road with visible head injuries.

Presquito said Roel may have been under the influence of alcohol after attending a reunion in Leganes town.

Rojean was arrested following the incident and remains in police custody.