BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya: An Isabela-based soldier was killed while his 14 colleagues were injured when their military truck collided with a speeding passenger bus in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte Thursday before dawn. The fatality was identified as Sergeant Anastacio Fernandez, a native of Isabela. He died on the spot because of multiple injuries he sustained from the collision along the national highway in Barangay Susugaen, Pasuquin at about 3 a.m. Treated for injuries at the Governor Roque Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital in Laoag City were Privates First Class Jomar Sagun, Rino Tabilon, Alfredo Cabingas, Domifer Saking, Allan Ramos, Marvin Magay, Alejandro Bunagan, Marlon Malongga, Jeffrey Katayong, Jake Avarca, Jay Domingo, Gilbert Patong, Marvin Lopez and Corporals Jerry Valentin and Joel Andrade, all colleagues of Fernandez. All on board the military truck belong to the Abra-based 41st Infantry Battalion, a jurisdiction of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division (5ID) based at Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela. The bus rammed an unoccupied house along the roadside but no one was reportedly hurt among the passengers.