2 women die in Matalam highway crash

MATALAM, North Cotabato -- Two women backriding on a motorbike were killed when they were ran-over by a passing dump truck after a collision of two motor vehicles along the national highway here Wednesday. Supt. Bernard Tayong, North Cotabato police director, citing report from Matalam traffic office, identified the fatalities as Emma Capilitan and Angelita Aspacio, both residents of Matalam.Tayong, speaking for North Cotabato police, said the two women were back riding with Danilo Aspacio who was driving the motorbike.Along the national highway in Barangay Bangbang, Aspacio tried to overtake a dump truck but collided head on with an oncoming top-down tricycle driven by Valenti Oballes.The two women were thrown off the concrete road but were ran-over by the dump truck, driven by Gilbert Villaluna, killing them instantly.Both motorcycle drivers were also injured and were rushed to the hospital following the 11 a.m. accident while the truck driver voluntarily surrendered to police.