3 killed as overtaking jeep hits motorcycles in Ternate

Three persons died after a speeding jeepney which apparently lost control hit two motorcycles in Ternate, Cavite. 

According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras,” the fatalities were on the motorcycles that were hit as the jeep turned on its side.

A dash cam video caught the jeepney rapidly overtaking other vehicles as it navigated a curve in Ternate. 

The driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle as it veered and hit the two oncoming motorcycles. 

Those killed were identified as Staff Sergeant Gerlyn Nicolas, a member of the Philippine Marines;  Gregorio Salazar, 54, and his passenger, Caledonia Gutierrez, 40. 

The driver said he checked the roadworthiness of the jeep but said it lost its brakes.

Jenny Audrey Nicolas, the widow of the Marine, said the jeep was going too fast.  

“Sinasabi lang niyang aksidente pero dun sa video napakabilis niya napakabilis niya… Hindi pwedeng sabihing aksidente,” Jenny said. 

(He’s just saying that it was an accident but the video showed he was speeding… He should not say that it was an accident.)

Myrna Salazar, Gregorio’s widow, said she still could not accept the tragic accident. 

“Masakit na masakit po. Hindi ko kayang di po namin kayang tanggapin. Masakit sa dibdib po. Siya lang po ang aming inaasahan,” she said.

(It hurts. I can’t accept it. He’s the only one who provides for us.)

Merlina Gutierrez, the victim’s sister, said, “Tumilapon po talaga sila… Talagang masakit po sa akin at kapatid ko po eh.” 

(They were thrown off. It is painful for me because she’s my sister.)

“Pagdating po talaga ng ospital na private pag wala po tayong perang mahihirap wala po talaga tayong maaasahan,” she said. 

(If you are poor, it is hard to expect to receive help in private hospitals.)

The jeepney driver apologized for the incident. 

“Patawarin na lang niya ako. Bagay diko naman talaga sinasadya na ganyan ang mangyayari. Hindi ko ginusto. Hindi ako mamamatay-tao rin dahil ang pinoproteksyunan ko yung mga sakay ko rin,” he said. 

(I hope they forgive me because I never intended any of this to happen. I am not a murderer. I was just protecting my passengers.) 

“Kaya pasensya na po kayo sa akin tsaka di ako nagsisinungaling na walang preno sasakyan,” he added.

(I am sorry. I wasn’t lying when I said I lost my brakes.)

The driver has undergone inquest proceedings and will be facing reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides and property damage. 

“Kitang kita din ang pangyayari. Maipa-file namin yung kaso na demanda para mabigyan naman po ng hustisya yung namatayan,” Ternate Municipal Police OIC Police Major Marlon Escalante said. 

(We all saw what happened. We will file the case to give justice to the victims.) —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News