A Christmas reunion turned tragic as five members of the Maglinte family from Greenville Subdivision, Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City, were among seven fatalities in a road crash in Purok Lote, Barangay Cebuano, Tupi, South Cotabato, on December 23.
The accident occurred at 3:20 pm when a white Suzuki Super Carry utility vehicle lost its brakes while descending from Magsangyaw Land of Praise, a tourist spot in Barangay Magsangyaw.
According to a report from the Tupi Municipal Police Station, the driver, Juan Loreto Tamayo of Tupi, South Cotabato, attempted to use the hand brake to stop the vehicle, but it swerved off the road and crashed into a tree near a curve.
The impact caused some passengers to be ejected into a nearby creek about five meters deep, while others suffered fatal injuries inside the vehicle.
The victims were identified as Annabelle Maglinte, 52; Joan Maglinte, 28; Joel Maglinte; Duke Maglinte; Ike Maglinte; and two minors, Marga, 7, and Yuna, 8, both from Polomolok, South Cotabato.
All seven were declared dead on arrival at Roel I. Senador Memorial Hospital. Joliver Maglinte, the driver, survived the crash.
The Maglinte family had been returning home after a family outing when the incident occurred.
Neighbors in Trinitas, Bugo, have since lit candles outside the family’s home as a gesture of condolence.
Authorities are conducting further investigations to determine the exact cause of the brake failure.
