Two motorcycle riders killed after hitting post in Pampanga

Two persons on a motorcycle were killed after they hit a post in Candaba, Pampanga.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras," the victims went straight down a road until they hit an electricity pole.

The victims were identified as James Calma, and his companion, Renato Pangilinan.

“Hindi ko na po makikilala. Duguan sila at malaki ang sugat sa ulo,” said barangay tanod Leandro Santiago.

(I didn't recognize them. They were too bloody and had big wounds on their heads.)

A third passenger on the motorcycle, Geeboy Tamayo, miraculously survived. He sustained a few scars on his face and body.

“Sobrang bilis na talaga ng takbo, nung nakita ko ang poste na tatamaan bumalik na lang ako ng ganun at kinover ko na lang ang kamay ko sabay pikit,” Tamayo said. 

(It was going really fast. When I saw the post that we were about to hit, I just moved so, covered with my hands, and closed my eyes.)

Based on the investigation by the Candaba Municipal Police Station, the motorcycle rider and his passengers were intoxicated and lost control on the curved part of the road.

“Wala rin po silang protective gears and helmet isa po yan sa mga problemang nilalabanan natin ngayon dito po sa bayan ng Candaba,” said Police Major Michael Ray Pamintuan, Candaba Police Deputy Cop. 

(They also don't have protective gear and helmets, that's one of the problems we are fighting right now here in the town of Candaba.)

The rider's mother admitted that her son was drunk and said they forbade him to go.

“Siguro sya po ang naging instrumento para matutunan ng mga anak ko paano sumunod sa magulang kung paano pahalagahan ang payo ng magulang na pag binabawalan wag nang itutuloy,” said Fely Calma, the rider’s mother. 

(Maybe he was the instrument for my children to learn how to obey their parents, how to appreciate their parents' advice that if they are forbidden, don't do it.)

The Candaba police said to prevent such accidents, a checkpoint may be installed in Bantay Bayan stations to give warning to the riders. 

According to the data frim the road safety unit, motorcycle-related crash incidents increased by more than four thousand last year compared to 2022.

Whereas, from January to March this year, 4,068 incidents were recorded. —NB, GMA Integrated News