Published
By Nonoy Lacson
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Ten persons died and six others were seriously injured when a cargo truck fell into a ravine in Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur on Sunday afternoon.
Pitogo Municipal Police Station (MPS) officer in charge Police Master Sargent Faustino Begontes Jr, said the incident took place at 2:15 pm, Sunday in Purok 1, Barangay Liguac, Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur.
Begontes identified the fatalities as Rey Alfornon, 24; Orlando Sabejon, 44; Noel Cabellon, 19; Berlindo Labador, 34; Edwin Delos Santos, 70; Marvin Hemang, 30; Loui Jay Omandam, 34, and Ranniel Ermac,15.
They all died on-the-spot after they were thrown off a truck being driven by Leolito Tam, 28, that fell into the ravine.
Two others who were among those that were seriously injured reportedly died in the hospital in Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur.
Bergontes said Tam was driving the truck when it reportedly developed brake failure. The truck was loaded with flitches of lumber that were to be used as the hull for a wooden boat.
Tam reportedly lost control and sent the truck toppling on to its side before plunging into the ravine.
The driver immediately surrendered to the Pitogo Municipal Police Station.
The police said charges for reckless imprudence, resulting to multiple homicides and multiple physical injuries are now being prepared for filing in court against him.
