• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A Pag-IBIG Fund executive died while three others were injured after their utility vehicle sustained suspected brake failure and crashed along a curved road in Barangay Malusay, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, July 23.
The victim was identified as Dr. Philip Basquez, 40, of Talisay City, Cebu, and the assistant department manager of Pag-IBIG Ayala Branch in Cebu.
Those injured were the designated driver, 59, from Talisay, Cebu; a 32-year-old sales and customer support assistant from the Pag-IBIG Dumaguete Branch and a resident of Barangay Batinguel in the city; and a 28-year-old female employee of the Pag-IBIG Ayala Branch residing in San Roque, Cebu City.
All three sustained injuries and remain under medical observation and treatment at a hospital.
Police said the group was traveling toward the city proper on board the white Hyundai utility vehicle when the driver lost braking power while negotiating a curved section of the road.
The driver alerted his passengers upon realizing the mechanical failure.
One passenger reportedly attempted to jump out of the moving vehicle, but the driver lost control of the van and crashed into roadside trees.
The van incurred extensive damage and was still at the crash site, as of press time.
The Guihulngan police also said that further investigation is ongoing, in coordination with the victims’ families, to establish the full details of the crash. | TMD
