By Ahikam Pasion
Authorities are investigating whether excessive speed contributed to the fatal motorcycle crash that killed moto vlogger Chester Masiglat, also known online as “Mamaw Moto,” along Villa Verde Road in Camp 4, Malico, San Nicolas town.
Masiglat, 32, a resident of Tobor, Malasiqui, figured in a self-accident while riding his big bike along a curved section of the mountainous road, according to initial findings from local responders and police.
Shallom Balolong of the San Nicolas Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said most single-vehicle motorcycle accidents in the area are usually survivable, particularly when incidents involve only skidding. In Masiglat’s case, however, responders believe the motorcycle was traveling at a high speed before it skidded along a curve, resulting in severe injuries.
Although the victim was wearing a helmet, responders noted that it may not have been properly locked at the time of the crash.
Balolong clarified that Masiglat did not fall into the ravine but was found at the edge of the road, where a slight movement could have caused him to plunge further down. The MDRRMO received the report at around 1:20 p.m. and immediately proceeded to the scene, where Masiglat was found lying unconscious.
An on-site assessment showed that the victim had no pulse, was not breathing, and showed no reaction to light. His blood pressure could no longer be detected. Responders also encountered difficulty during retrieval as a strap and cyclone wire were found entangled around his neck near the roadside that may have prevented the victim from falling completely into the ravine.
Police Major George Banayos Jr., chief of the San Nicolas Police Station, also cited speed as a possible factor in the incident. According to Banayos, a witness from a parked truck nearby reported seeing Masiglat riding downhill at high speed shortly before the crash.
Investigators are also determining whether Masiglat was recording a video for his vlog at the time of the accident. ()