By Francis T. Wakefield
The Department of National Defense (DND) has extended its condolences to the family and loved ones of Japanese Sergeant Maehara Suguru who died in a road accident inside Subic Freeport, Olongapo City, last Tuesday.
DND Public Affairs Chief Arsenio Andolong
(AP / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Sgt. Suguru was in a vehicle on an administrative mission when it collided with a truck along the Clark Subic Expressway on October 2, 2018,” said DND Public Affairs Chief Arsenio Andolong in a statement on Monday.
Andolong said the most unfortunate vehicular accident took place while Suguru was in the country as a member of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) contingent.
The JGSDF contingent is participating in the Kaagapay ng Mandirigmang Dagat (KAMANDAG) 2018, a counterterrorism joint military exercise with military forces of the Philippines and the United States.
The GSDF reported that the 38-year-old Suguru was killed when the van he was riding in to deliver food supplies to other members participating in the drill figured in a collision with a truck.
“The vehicle was driven by a Filipino civilian, while the other passenger was another Japanese soldier. Both were injured in the accident but have been released from hospital,” he added.