PMA topnotcher killed in Bataan road accident

MANILA, Philippines - A female topnotcher of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)'s Class 1999 was killed after figuring in a road accident in Bataan Tuesday night, a radio report said Wednesday night. Bombo Radyo cited initial police reports that Lt. S.G. Arlene dela Cruz died in a collision between her Toyota Corolla and a 10-wheeler truck along the Roman Superhighway at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. The report said Dela Cruz was heading for Metro Manila at the time of the accident. However, PMA Public Information Officer Capt. Agnes Lynette Flores declined to comment as Dela Cruz's family had not spoken on the matter. The report said the truck driver, initially identified as Fernando Balmocena, surrendered to police Wednesday noon and was detained at the Mariveles town jail. He was charged Wednesday afternoon, the report added. Initial investigation showed the car likely hit the truck from behind. Police said the early warning devices of the truck may have been improperly placed. De la Cruz was the first female topnotcher of PMA 1999 (Class Masikhay) and served at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific. - GMANews.TV