By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – In a tragic accident at Sitio Tubod, Barangay Bulwang, Mabinay, Negros Oriental, fourteen individuals lost their lives and three others sustained injuries when a truck veered off the road and tumbled down a cliff yesterday.
The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (Norppo) disclosed the identities of ten victims, all hailing from the town of La Libertad. They were Jr Desipolo, Jun Jun Magos, Peding Desipolo, Ric Ric Desipolo, Dodoy Magos, Allan Flores, and others known only as Lindo, Leo, Jemboy, and Marlon. Police Lieutenant Stephen Polinar, Norppo spokesperson, mentioned that four other victims, all livestock buyers, remain unidentified.
The names of the three injured parties were also released: truck driver Antonio Boganotan Toreno and passengers Almer Gargoles Igoogan and Jovanni Flores.
The vehicle, carrying 17 individuals, was en route to Barangay Dawis, Bayawan City around 1:45 p.m. for livestock purchases when it encountered mechanical issues. According to Polinar, the driver lost control, leading the truck to overshoot the roadside and plummet into a cliff.
The impact caused some passengers to be trapped under the vehicle, while others were ejected as it overturned. “The ravine wasn’t that deep, but the slope was steep and covered in grass. Some were thrown out and others were pinned underneath,” Polinar explained.
Fourteen passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while and the three injured victims – who suffered serious injuries – are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
Authorities are continuing efforts to identify all fatalities and ascertain any familial connections among them. Meanwhile, search and retrieval operations are ongoing as the incident remains under police investigation.
