• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Eight people died while five others were injured after the Suzuki Easyride vehicle they were riding figured in a road accident along Sitio Tumampon in Barangay Tiguib, Ayungon, Negros Oriental on Saturday.
Initial police investigation showed the vehicle driven by Juan Maratas was descending on a steep slope when its brake malfunctioned, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.
As a result, the vehicle flipped over and landed into a rocky ravine.
While Maratas managed to survive, Edwin Dequit, Zenaida Sabanal, Libby de Jesus, Ernesta Villasco, Anabelle Devero and Elphy Deguit were declared by the police as dead on arrival at the Bindoy District Hospital.
Two more passengers, Chinly Magalso and Artillana Deguit, later died at the hospital, bringing to eight the number of fatalities, according to the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office.
Being treated in the same medical facility were Maratas, Fibronia Agacaoili, Dehino Maylinda, and two minors — aged 13 and 8.
The vehicle, with 12 passengers, was on its way to a cemetery to attend a death anniversary event. | GB
