Two dead, eight hurt in four motorcycle mishaps

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two persons died while eight others were injured in four separate road incidents involving motorcycles in Iloilo province.

The two fatalities were both involved in incidents that happened in Banate town.

Renaldo Respondo, 48, a resident of Barangay Magdalo, Banate died after he allegedly lost control of his motorcycle and skidded on the road at Magdalo village around 10:20 p.m. of July 15, 2021.

Respondo, who was purportedly drunk, fell and hit his head on a rock. He was taken to Gov. Niel D. Tupas District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Two days later, a 24-year-old man also died after his motorcycle crashed into bridge railings at Barangay Managopaya, Banate around 4:40 a.m. on July 17.

Staff Sergeant John Baylon, Banate PNP traffic investigator, said Stephen Bernales, 24, of Barangay San Lucas, Barotac Viejo, was with his 17-year-old girlfriend and her two younger sisters when the incident happened.

The four came from Passi City to attend a birthday party of his girlfriend’s family.

Bernales was to bring his girlfriend home and her 11- and 6-year-old sisters to Barangay San Miguel, Barotac Viejo.

The three girls were unscathed, but it took more than 20 minutes for residents to find Bernales’ body.

Baylon said the three women were thrown off the motorcycle while Bernales landed in a nearby river.

Bernales was not drunk but he was allegedly speeding on a road he was not familiar with.

Meanwhile, two motorcycle drivers and a backrider were also injured following a road collision 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Barangay Aglosong, Concepcion town.

Injured were John Lloyd Gabayeron, 18, of Barangay Siempreviva, Concepcion; and Geron Castor, 25, and his backrider Mark Anthony Fernandez, 24, both residents of Barangay Bacjawan Norte, Concepcion.

Gabayeron was on his way home to San Dionisio town when he collided with Castor’s motorcycle after the latter allegedly encroached the opposite lane.

The three were rushed to Sara District Hospital but later referred to a hospital in Iloilo City for further treatment.

Meanwhile, a hit-and-run incident victimized a couple Saturday evening at Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay.

April Rose Biarca, 24, and her boyfriend Melchor Calasagsag Jr., 23, both residents of the said place were injured when a pick-up truck allegedly sideswiped them.

The duo was riding a motorcycle from a convenience store in the town proper when the incident happened.

Biarca said the pick-up truck’s driver did not stop after the incident.

The woman is presently treated at Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital while Calasagsag was taken to Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.