By Benjamin Cuaresma
ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — Two commuters were injured Tuesday morning after a massive tree collapsed onto Sumulong Highway amid heavy rains and strong winds, forcing authorities to temporarily clear one of Antipolo City’s busiest roads.
The victims—a motorcycle rider and a bicycle rider—were struck when the tree suddenly gave way at around 8:13 a.m. while they were traversing the highway, according to the Antipolo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
Emergency responders immediately rushed to the scene and transported the injured riders to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their conditions were not immediately disclosed.
The incident triggered heavy traffic along the major thoroughfare as the fallen tree completely obstructed part of the roadway, leaving hundreds of motorists stranded during the morning rush hour.
The Antipolo City government immediately dispatched additional traffic enforcers to manage vehicle flow while rescue and clearing teams worked to remove the obstruction.
Authorities completed the clearing operation shortly after 9 a.m., allowing traffic to gradually resume.
The CDRRMO said the tree collapsed at the height of intense rainfall accompanied by powerful wind gusts, underscoring the dangers posed by severe weather conditions.
City authorities urged motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians to remain vigilant while traveling during inclement weather, warning that weakened trees and other roadside hazards may continue to pose risks as rains persist over parts of Rizal and nearby areas.
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