ANTIQUE – Tragedy struck early Monday morning, August 25, when a van carrying 11 students figured in a road mishap in Barangay Cadajug, Laua-an town, leaving two students dead and several others injured.
Police identified the fatalities as Geiril Fajarillo, 21, of Hamtic, and Kristinelle Granada, 20, of Sibalom, both participants in the Streetdance Battleground during the Linggo ng Kabataan celebration in Culasi town.
The van, driven by Almonte Soriano Jr., 57, of Tibiao, was on its way back to Sibalom when it allegedly lost control due to overspeeding and overturned. The impact hurled Soriano onto the roof of a nearby house. The victims were rushed to Pedro L. Gindap Municipal Hospital in Barbarza.
The students had just wrapped up their performance in Culasi and were returning home when the accident occurred. Authorities recovered their cellphones and certificates of participation from the crash site.
The University of Antique (UA) confirmed hours after the accident that six individuals — including Soriano and five students — were transferred to the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital (ASMGH) in San Jose de Buenavista town for further treatment. The students were identified as:
* John Carl Cañete, 20, of Belison
* Keanu Dayandayan, 22, of Sibalom
* Ronnie Mulowa, 22, of Sibalom
* Maria Angel Ito, 19, of Patnongon
* Rochelle Ann Delasan, 22, of Sibalom
UA president Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr. said that four other students were discharged after receiving initial treatment at the Pedro L. Gindap Municipal Hospital.
Crespo assured that the university is extending medical, financial, and psychological support to the victims and their families. A medical team and guidance counselors were also deployed to the hospitals where the students were confined.
He also clarified that the streetdance group was not an official contingent of the university, but rather a local dance group that participated in cultural and fiesta competitions.
Meanwhile, Cong. AA Legarda pledged to help cover the students’ medical expenses, including hospital tests, medicines, and possible transfers to the Antique Medical Center (AMC) if necessary.
In light of the tragedy, Crespo called on drivers and transport operators to exercise utmost caution on the road, stressing the importance of protecting passengers’ lives.
Police were continuing their investigation into the incident as of press time./PN
