Newly-elected kagawad dies, wife survives road mishap

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A newly-elected kagawad died after his motorcycle collided with a taxi morning of Dec. 2 in San Miguel, Iloilo.

Jonjon Brillantes, 44, of Barangay Agboy, Leon town, was driving the motorcycle with his wife, 46-year-old Marilou Brillantes, as his backrider when the incident happened.

Marilou was injured but survived the road crash.

According to reports, the couple came from their home and was heading to San Miguel around 4:10 a.m. on Saturday when the incident happened.

As they were traversing Barangay San Antonio, San Miguel, they were bumped by a Jhelord Taxi driven by Ryan Claro.

The 40-year-old Claro, a resident of Barangay Cabutongan, Leon, allegedly lost control of his vehicle as he was navigating the sharp curve.

He encroached the opposite line and bumped into the couple’s motorcycle.

Major Richard Lao, San Miguel police chief, said that both victims were not wearing protective helmets at the time of the incident.

The couple was brought to Aleosan District Hospital in Alimodian town but Jonjon did not pull through.

His wife was later referred to Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City for further treatment.

Claro is now detained while criminal charges are yet to be filed against him.