1 killed, 26 hurt in jeep accidents in Masbate and Antipolo

One person was killed while at least 26 were injured in separate accidents involving passenger jeeps in Masbate province and Antipolo City in Rizal province on Tuesday and Wednesday. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Wednesday one person was killed while 18 were hurt in an accident in Masbate at 9 a.m. Tuesday. In its Wednesday report, the NDRRMC said the jeep overturned along the national highway of Sitio Antonio in Barangay Maravilla in Palanas town. Investigation by town police showed the gray jeep (EVG-596) driven by Leo Labao, 54, was heading for Cataingan in Masbate when the accident occurred. Killed in the incident was passenger Francisco Col, while 18 were seriously injured and brought to the Palanas Municipal Health Office and Cataingan District Hospital. Labao was placed under the police station's temporary custody. Meanwhile, in Antipolo City, at least eight people were injured after a passenger jeep fell into a 25-foot ravine before dawn Wednesday. City disaster management unit head Joey Marco said the incident occurred along a part of Marcos Highway in Barangay San Jose, radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported. Marco cited an initial information indicating a part of the concrete road along the national road in Marcos Highway gave way and the jeep fell into the ravine. Heavy rain had pelted Metro Manila and nearby provinces in past days, causing floods in several areas. The heavy rain had prompted Malacañang on Tuesday to suspend classes and work, but the Palace on Wednesday decreed that work in government offices was to resume. —  LBG, GMA News