P1.4-M dried marijuana recovered from two victims of vehicular accident in Benguet

BAGUIO CITY — Two victims of a vehicular accident along Kennon Road refused to be brought to the hospital despite sustaining injuries on Sunday, July 3.

As it turned out, the two victims — Jimmsie Galang Salazar, 40, resident of 13IR Maliksi II, Bacoor Cavite, and driver of a pick-up truck, and Justine Jerome Baisa, 28, resident of 20 Saint Luke’s, Marvi Hills, Brgy Gulod, Malaya San Mateo, Rizal – were hiding something.

During the investigation at the scene of the accident, some residents who witnessed the accident told the investigator that they saw the two occupants quickly get out of their overturned vehicle and pull out a carton box and take it to a grassy area near the river.

When the police searched for it not far from the scene of the accident, they found the box containing dried marijuana.

The police found 12 pieces of tubular containers full of dried marijuana leaves worth P1.4 million.

The accident occurred at around 4:40 in the morning on Sunday at Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet. It was reported to the police around 6:00 a.m.

The vehicle came from Baguio City and was proceeding to the lowland area. While traversing the downward zigzag of Kennon road, the driver allegedly felt a brake malfunction (loose brake). This caused his vehicle to flip and turn turtle as it rested on northbound lane.

As a result, both the driver and passenger sustained injuries and their vehicle sustained severe damages. Ironically the two occupants refused medical attention.

The two victims are now facing charges of violating Republic Act 9165.