THREE people were injured in separate incidents in southern Cebu after vehicles became entangled in telecommunications wires, raising renewed concerns over road safety hazards.
In Talisay City, a propsman remains in critical condition while another companion suffered a broken arm after they fell from a truck along the national highway in Barangay Lawaan 3 at around 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Police identified the injured as Benjie Tanoco, 38, and Roderick Nuñez, both residents of Carcar City. Tanoco slipped into a coma after his head hit the road, while Nuñez sustained a fracture in his left arm.
Initial investigation showed that backdrop props loaded on the truck became caught in a hanging telecommunications wire, causing it to snap. The force of the snap threw Tanoco and Nuñez off the vehicle. The two were riding at the back as guards of the cargo.
The group was on its way back to Carcar from a repeat performance at the Cebu City Sports Center, where they placed third in the Sinulog-Based Category.
The truck was driven by Emmanuel Jesus Diacamos, according to the City of Talisay Traffic Operations and Development Authority. Diacamos said he was driving slowly as they were traveling in convoy and had three assistants at the back to watch for wires, but he was startled when something suddenly snapped behind him.
Tanoco and Nuñez were rushed to the hospital. On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Diacamos was released after reaching a settlement with the families of the victims.
The Carcar City Government said it would shoulder all medical expenses. Talisay police continue to trace the owner of the telecommunications wire involved in the accident.
Alegria
In a separate incident, a 33-year-old French tourist was injured after his motorcycle became entangled in a dangling telecommunications cable in Alegria town on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Jerome Reazon, an officer of the Alegria Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), said the incident happened at around 1 p.m. along the Balhaan–Madridejos road. The tourist was traveling along the road when a low-hanging cable, which was not immediately visible, wrapped around his neck.
The entanglement pulled the tourist backward, throwing him off the motorcycle. He sustained abrasions on his neck and left knee and was taken to the Badian District Hospital.
Reazon said the wire was cut and the telecommunications provider was informed. The MDRRMO urged residents and visitors to report hanging cables and other road hazards to prevent similar accidents. / JDG, DPC