BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA & MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
BACOLOD City – A popular reggae singer died in a vehicular accident along the circumferential road in Barangay Mandalagan, here on Friday, Dec. 8.
Juan Manuel Ubaldo, more known by his stage name “Kokoi Baldo,” was a 44-year-old resident of Bacolod City. He gained fame after he competed and became a finalist in the reality singing competition, The Voice Philippines, in 2014.
Major Armilyn Vargas, chief of Police Station 3, said Ubaldo was heading home at around 1:30 a.m. after a music gig.
Based on the initial police probe and witness accounts, Baldo was driving his motorcycle, following three trucks and a pickup truck.
The singer overtook the pickup, but while moving to the side of the truck, he accidentally slid and was subsequently run over by the truck’s rear tire.
A severe head injury killed the singer instantly.
Meanwhile, truck driver Benny Flor of Barangay Sampinit in Bago City, Negros Occidental, was on his way to Victorias City to deliver his load of sugarcane.
The 49-year-old said he was driving slowly because of the curvy road but was unable to notice Ubaldo closing in on the truck.
Police said the pickup truck driver chased the truck to tell Flor that he had hit a motorist.
As of this writing, Police Station 3 is awaiting the decision of Baldo’s family on whether or not to press charges.
Bacolod City’s Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, in a statement, said he was saddened by the news of the untimely passing of Ubaldo.
“Many of us have connected with him through his music. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this most difficult time. May his soul rest in peace,” he said./PN
