• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Seven persons died while 17 others suffered injuries, following a vehicular accident at Sitio San Juan in Barangay Guimbala-on, Silay City, Negros Occidental on Friday morning (June 27).
Police investigation showed that a mini dump truck owned by the city government was involved in the mishap.
Driver Hernane Masa, 53, who was transporting 23 passengers, lost control of the vehicle, causing it to swerve and fall on its side.
They came from a tree-planting activity in Sitio Lantawan, according to the police.
Five persons, who were all job order workers of the city, died on the spot while two others later died in the hospital, PLt. Col. Mark Darroca, Silay City police chief, said.
The 17 others, including the driver, were brought to three hospitals.
The fatalities were identified as Alexander Balili, 62; Rafael Jardiolin Jr., 57; Eldie Naguita, 65; Azucena Dimson, 52; Jerson Leonillo, 38; Marlon Amarado, 36; and Jayme Bangis, 60.
Masa, 53, is now in stable condition after he and seven injured passengers were brought to Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital.
The nine other passengers were treated at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital and Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital.
In a statement, Mayor Joedith Gallego assured the Silaynons that a “thorough and impartial investigation will be undertaken to ascertain the root cause of the incident, with the end view of ensuring accountability and preventing similar incidents from occurring”.
Gallego said the city government will extend all the necessary support, medical attention, and financial assistance to the victims and their immediate families. | GB
