EIGHT passengers were killed while scores were severely injured when the truck they were riding crashed into another vehicle while traversing the highway along Barangay Agusan in Cagayan de Oro City at 4 am today.
Police Corporal Rodulfo Abaday, Jr. of Puerto police station, in his report, only identified the three fatalities as Alvin Escabarte, 43, Bonggo truck driver, of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, Bernon Banuag, 76, Jasmine Bauag-Santos, 20, and her three-month-old baby.
Police named the other victims as Manilyn Banuag, 35; Tiffany Grace Banuag,14; Jake Camo, 3; Jason Camo 12; Jeffrey Camo, Jr., 4; Jeffrey Camo, Sr., 35; Kyle Camo, 7; Acer Banuag, 46; Alex Banuag, 36; Jacklord Pagtalunan 40; Jedida Banuag, 23; Juni Mae Ada, 15; Jeberlyn Banuag,16; Eli Banuag, 16; Felix Banuag, 49; Gina Pagtalunan, 51; Lucino Pagtalunan, 57; Lydia Banuag, 36; Aldrin Banuag, 4; all residents of Sta. Ana, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
According to the report, 16 victims were brought to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center for treatment.
It was learned that all the victims came from Zamboanga del Sur and attended the burial of a relative.
The incident occurred at Zone 2 of the said barangay.
It was also learned that the incident happened when the Kia Bonggo truck with plate number KC-73490 and driven by Escabarte crashed into a Fuso Tabular Cargo Truck bearing a plate number MCZ-986 and driven by Julito Telen, 43, married, and a resident of Purok 12, Sitio Baloy in Barangay Tablon.
The said truck was loaded with chickens owned by Gamma farm.
In an interview with Telen, he said, he noticed that the said Bonggo truck was heading toward his driven vehicle.
“Gipaningkamotan nako nga akong malikayan apan siya man gyud ang mibangga sa ako,” Telen said.
After the incident, Telen requested a motorcycle driver who was in the area to bring him to the nearest police station to surrender.
He is facing cases of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides, multiple physical injuries, and damage to properties.
