A Philippine Coast Guard frontliner died while six others were injured when the van they were riding figured in an accident on the STAR Tollway in Ibaan town, Batangas on Tuesday afternoon.
The fatality was identified as Apprentice Seaman (ASN) Cenen Epetito, who died upon arrival at the Batangas Healthcare Specialists Medical Center.
The six injured included ASN Adrian Añonuevo, who had minor hematoma and remains under intensive medical supervision.
Also injured were Seaman Second Class (SN2) Pacifico Casipi, SN2 Erdie Rojales, ASN Rouin Alvarez, ASN John Kristopher Mojica, and Candidate Coast Guard Man (CCGM) McLester Saguid.
The PCG said the five were “conscious and coherent when they arrived at the hospital where they underwent X-ray, CT scan, and suture. “They will remain “under hospital confinement until they are declared in good physical condition.”
Citing initial reports, the PCG said one of the tires of the victims’ PCG multi-purpose van burst while they were travelling on the tollway at around 2:43 p.m. The van then went off road and hit some trees.
The PCG said the van came from the PCG District-Southern Tagalog in Sta. Clara town in Batangas and was en route to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.
It said the PCG personnel were out to “to extend assistance to the nationwide ‘Bayanihan Repatriation’ program for overseas Filipino workers, Filipino seafarers, and returning Filipinos.”
The PCG assured it will extend assistance to the bereaved family of Epetito, who it said “selflessly fought the battle for public health and safety amid COVID-19 pandemic.”
“As to the survivors, the command assures that they will receive all needed medical treatment until they regain their strength to perform their call of duty again — which is to serve the nation and uphold the welfare of the Filipino people,” it added.
