Two Killed, 23 Injured as Capiz Welcomed 2025

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Two individuals, including a local government employee, were killed, and two others were injured in separate vehicular accidents hours before the New Year celebration in Ivisan and Maayon towns.

The Ivisan police identified one fatality as Menandro Aminay Sr., 48, of Sitio Agtinapay, Barangay Ilaya, Ivisan, Capiz, and the other as a 37-year-old man identified only as alias Rey, also a resident of the town.

Investigators reported that Aminay was on the road at 11:56 p.m., December 31, lighting firecrackers when he was accidentally hit by a Raider 150 motorcycle driven by alias Rey. Reports indicated the driver was under the influence of alcohol, and the motorcycle’s headlight was malfunctioning.

Aminay sustained fatal injuries and died hours later while undergoing treatment at a hospital. Alias Rey suffered minor injuries and was confined in a separate hospital.

The driver promised to cover the victim’s medical expenses, but Aminay’s family vowed to pursue charges against him.

Meanwhile, in Maayon, a local government employee and his daughter were involved in a motorcycle accident an hour before the New Year in Barangay Tapulang, Maayon, Capiz.

The police identified the victim as Ronnie Dayo, 55, an employee of the Maayon local government unit. His daughter, Rose Ann Denosta, sustained injuries but was reported in stable condition.

According to reports, Dayo and his daughter were returning home on a motorcycle when a pedestrian, identified as Oliver Delatina, 37, of Barangay Batabat, Maayon, attempted to cross the street. Dayo initially slowed down but increased speed upon sensing Delatina would not proceed to cross. However, Dayo lost control of the motorcycle, causing it to slide on the road.

Both were taken to the nearest hospital, where Dayo was pronounced dead minutes later. Investigators learned Delatina was intoxicated during the incident.

Meanwhile, 23 individuals in Capiz sustained injuries from firecrackers during the New Year celebration, marking a 27.28% increase from last year.

According to the Provincial Fireworks-Related Injuries (FWRI) Bulletin released by the Provincial Health Office on January 1, 2025, Roxas City recorded the highest number of injuries at 10, followed by Sigma with 3, and one each in Cuartero, Dao, Dumalag, Mambusao, and Tapaz.

Among the injured, 20 suffered blast or burn injuries, while others sustained eye injuries. The most common firecrackers involved were boga (3 cases), whistle bomb (2), “granada” (1), five-star (2), bilong-bilong (2), kamara (2), kwitis (4), labintador (5), triangle (2), and pencil cracker (1).

Despite these incidents, the Capiz Police Provincial Office reported a generally peaceful Christmas and New Year celebration across the province, except for a minor altercation in Jamindan involving two police officers and an intoxicated individual.