A SOLDIER died, while a civilian was injured in a highway accident in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the police reported.
Police Major Shellamie Chang, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the fatality as Corporal Lito Tanao, 34, of the Service Support Battalion of the Army's 1st Infantry Division.
Wounded was Kim Jefferson Jumawan, a resident of Lower Pulacan village, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Chang said investigation showed that Tanao, who was driving a motorcycle, sustained serious injuries when he crashed on the pavement when Jumawan, also driving a motorcycle, sideswiped the soldier when the former suddenly took a left turn around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 27, along the national highway in Lower Pulacan village, Labangan.
Both Tanao and Jumawan were traveling from Labangan to Monte Alegre, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur at the time of the incident, said Chang.
She said Tanao was rushed to the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center for treatment but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Jumawan was injured as he bumped into an incoming truck driven by Private Albert Parreño, 27, after crashing Tanao's motorcycle.
Chang said Jumawan was rushed to the Tabak Hospital in Pulacan, Labangan for treatment, while Parreño was unscathed. (SunStar Zamboanga)