By Jennifer P. Rendon
A policeman died in a road crash early morning of Nov 24, 2022 in Guimbal, Iloilo.
Police identified the victim as Staff Sergeant Jemon Balestramon, 39, a resident of 1623 Lope de Vega St., LSO Banago in Caluya, Antique.
Balestramon suffered multiple body injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital in Guimbal.
Lieutenant Felice Dioso, Guimbal police chief, said Balestramon came from Sara, Iloilo and was on his way home when the incident happened.
The victim was a member of the Sebaste Municipal Police Station in Antique but was put on detail service to the Regional Service Training Unit (RSTU)-6.
Balestramon was an assistant instructor for neophyte cops who are undergoing the Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC) at the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company in Sara town.
Dioso said the victim was wearing his athletics uniform, as he was scheduled to undergo a physical fitness test on the same day.
Balestramon was navigating Barangay Nanga, Guimbal around 5:15 a.m. Thursday when he was bumped head-on by a passenger jeepney plying the Igbaras-Iloilo City route.
Dioso said the jeepney was speeding and allegedly encroached on the opposite lane and collided with the victim’s Suzuki Raider 150 motorcycle.
Dioso said the jeepney driver, Edgardo Abella, 41, of Igbaras, Iloilo, failed to immediately step on the brakes.
He even dragged the victim and his motorcycle for about 30 meters.
Dioso noted that Balestramon was wearing a crash helmet when the incident happened.
Abella allegedly reasoned that it was the victim who encroached his lane but some witnesses belied his claim.
Abella is now detained while charges against him are being readied for filing.
