68-yr.-old man dies after ‘kulong-kulong’ crashes with army vehicle in Cagayan

Gattaran, Cagayan – An elderly person died in a crash between a 'kulong-kulong' and an army vehicle in Barangay Baraccaoit, Gattaran, Cagayan, on Monday, February 6, 2024.

According to police reports, the suspect, a member of the Philippine Army, was heading back to their camp in Lallo, Cagayan, when the accident occurred.

The suspect was traveling in a government-owned Toyota Hilux, while the casualty, accompanied by his wife, was riding a 'kulong-kulong'.

Both vehicles were traveling in the same lane and direction. The soldier attempted to overtake the kulong-kulong, but as he did so, the 'kulong-kulong' moved into the lane he was about to enter.

As a result, the army vehicle collided with the 'kulong-kulong', causing the husband and wife to sustain injuries in various parts of their bodies.

Although they were promptly transported to a medical facility, the husband, identified as 68-year-old Rodolfo Pattung, was declared dead upon arrival. Meanwhile, his wife remains hospitalized.

The suspect, who emerged unharmed from the collision, is now in the custody of the Gattaran police for documentation and proper disposition.

In a statement released by the 17th Infantry Battalion, they expressed accountability for the actions of their comrade and affirmed their commitment to providing assistance to the victims.

“Nais naming tiyakin sa komunidad na buong puso naming inaako ang responsibilidad ng aming mga tauhan at nakatuon kami ngayon pagtulong at pagsupporta sa mga nasugatan ng nasabing aksidente. Pinahahalagahan namin ang tiwala at kumpiyansa na ibinigay ninyo sa amin, at walang pagod kaming magsusumikap para mabawi ito,” they wrote.