By FROILAN GALLARDO,Special Correspondent
TWO barangay health workers and a village official were killed when a truck plowed through a checkpoint in Maramag town, Bikidnon, an hour before a strict community quarantine measure took effect in the province.
Hansel Echavez, head of the Bukidnon Public affairs, Information and Assistance office, said the ten-wheel truck driven by a drunk driver was speeding towards Don Carlos when it plowed through a quarantine checkpoint in Camp One, Maramag town at around 10:45 pm yesterday.
Gov. Jose Maria Zubiri has ordered stricter quarantine measures closing its provincial borders to non-Bukidnon residents.
The order took affect on March 21.
Echavez said the sugar-hauler truck with plate number MDX-119 rammed two motorcycles and a Multicab van as it sped off in an apparent attempt to get past the policemen and barangay tanods stationed at the quarantine checkpoint.
A police officer said the truck rammed into a pole and the driver identified as Jimuel Ompoc was arrested and detained at the Maramag police station.
Echavez identified the fatalities as barangay health workers Jomalyn Buhayon and Margie Maribao who were declared dead on arrival at the Bukidnon provincial hospital.
He said another identified as Barangay councilor Aldren Gaitera, a resident of P-1, North Poblacion, Maramag also died at the La Viña hospital in Valencia City.
The fourth injured person was identified as Beth Lumanca, according to the Maramag police.
