Two grade 9 students dead, 1 seriously injured in Tabuk City road accident

Tabuk City, Kalinga – A physician in the province pronounced two grade 9 students dead on arrival following a road accident along the national highway in Bulanao, Tabuk City on Monday, October 28, 2024.

The students were identified by the police as Hazam Bawalan and Johnrey Vazquez (both back riders) and Sheldon Balocnit (rider) who is currently being treated for his injuries. The three were reportedly onboard a motorcycle and was traversing the national highway in Purok 4 past 12:00 noon when the tragedy happened.

Based on CCTV, the motorcycle being ridden by the three crossed over the center island towards the opposite lane in front of Bulevar Restobar, throwing its occupants against an oncoming ‘umbak’.

The impact sent the ‘umbak’ driven by Francis Mag-aso to turn sideways.

According to PNP Kalinga Spokesperson, PCapt. Ruff Manganip, Bawalan and Vazquez were declared dead on arrival at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital, while Balocnit was referred to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center.

The ‘umbak’ driver and his teacher passenger likewise sustained injuries.

With these recent accidents happening in Tabuk City, Manganip is once again reminding the public not to drive without a license and not to ride a motorcycle without a helmet.

“As driver, nu before nga rumwar ka, dapat adda papel motor mo and adda driver’s license mo. Nu naka motor ka met, dapat naka-helmet ka, uray iti back rider mo dapat naka-helmet,” he conveyed.

Manganip likewise appealed to parents not to let their minor children drive a vehicle, emphasizing that parents can be held liable as cited in the Presidential Decree 603 or the ‘Child and Youth Welfare Code’.