8 hurt in 4-vehicle pile-up

DIGOS City ― Two soldiers of the 39th Infantry Batallion, and six civilians were reportedly injured in a four-vehicle pile-up along the Davao-Cotabato National highway, specifically in Barangay Cabligan, Matanao, Davao del Sur early on Monday.

Major Flor Daisy Angga, Matanao acting police chief said the incident occurred at about 8:35 am on July 17 where four different vehicles collided with each other that injured its drivers and passengers.

Matanao traffic investigators narrated in the report that a green Hyundai KM of the 39th IB Philippine Army was driven by Corporal Justin John Labsan, 29, where another soldier and six civilians were on board heading to the South.

Another vehicle, a Toyota Rush driven by Renante Artiaga Villegas, 47, a resident of Barangay Kapoc in Matanao also heading to the South.

In the same direction, the third vehicle was a Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback driven by Ricky James Ubaldo Sullera, 32, a resident of Luna Extension, Digos City.

The fourth vehicle was a Gray Toyota Fortuner driven by Kiant Andrew Tayone Polestico, 22, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Makilala, North Cotabato heading North.

The investigator added that the first, second, and third vehicles were en route to Digos City (South) when the Toyota Fortuner traveling in the opposite direction hit the rear end of the Toyota Rush that was also hit by the tailing Army truck (KM).

Unfortunately, the Mitsubishi Mirage following the Army truck also hit the rear bumper of the Army truck in the process.

Emergency responders immediately transported those who were injured to the hospital for treatment of their bruises and contusions.

They were allowed to go home afterward. However, the driver of the Toyota Fortuner was declared out of danger but still confined in the hospital for further medical attention.

All vehicles involved in the pile-up were placed under the custody of Matanao Police Station according to the official police report.