• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Fifteen persons died while two others were seriously injured after a truck they were riding fell off a ravine in the municipality of Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Feb. 21.
Initial police investigation showed the Mitsubish Fuso truck, carrying livestock buyers from La Libertad town, was on its way to Barangay Dawis, Bayawan City.
Driver Antonio Toreno lost control of the vehicle, which fell about 50 meters into a ravine along the national highway of Sitio Tubod in Barangay Bulwang.
The fatalities were identified by the police as Ireneo Magos, 37; Rene Magos, 46; Roy Magos, 29; Rolindo Decipolo Sr., 63; Rolindo Decipolo Jr., 29; Rex Decipolo, 33; Fe Decipolo;
Jemboy Egoogan, Alma Egoogan, 26; Marlon Soledad, 46; Allan Flores, 36; Allen Pocong, 44; Remond Llenes, 29; Leo Soreño, 43; and Jacob Labrador, 28.
The two survivors, Toreno, and Jovanni Flores, are being treated at the Mabinay Community Hospital.
PLt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said some of the passengers were reported to have been pinned to death.
The truck was registered under the name of Rolindo Decipolo Sr., Polinar said. | GB
