By CESAR JOLITO III
Seven job order employees were killed while 17 others were injured when a local government-owned mini dump truck carrying them figured in a vehicle mishap at Barangay Guimbalaon in Negros Occidental’s Silay City yesterday morning.
Based on the initial police report from the Silay City Police Station, the incident happened around 9:30 a.m., as the truck was transporting volunteers from Barangay Patag after a tree-planting activity in Sitio Lantawan.
The fatalities were identified as 62-year-old Alexander Balili, 57-year-old Rafael Jardiolin Jr., 65-year-old Eldie Naguita, 52-year-old Azucena Dimson, 38-year-old Leonillo Jerson, 36-year-old Marlon Amarado, and 60-year-old Jayme Bangis, all residents of Silay.
Silay police said the driver, 53-year-old Hernane Masa, a resident of Barangay E. Lopez, allegedly lost control of the mini dump truck after the brakes broke.
The vehicle then veered and overturned on a cemented roadside portion in Sitio San Juan.
The seven employees were dead on the spot, police said, while some were thrown off and others were pinned under the vehicle.
Seven injured passengers, including Masa, were brought to Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay.
The driver is now in stable condition, Silay police chief Lt. Colonel Mark Darroca said.
The other remaining nine employees are being treated at the Queen of Mercy Hospital and Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City, he added.
Authorities are currently determining whether negligence or mechanical failure led to the tragedy.
The city police are conducting a follow-up investigation.
Grief
Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, in a statement, extended heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, recognizing the deceased as volunteers who had just rendered service to the environment.
“These individuals had just concluded their participation in a tree-planting activity at Sitio Lantawan, an act that reflects their unwavering commitment to environmental preservation and community service,” Gallego said.
“This tragic occurrence has brought immeasurable grief to our community. It is a moment of collective mourning for all Silaynons. I respectfully call upon everyone to offer prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of those who perished, and for the full and speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries,” he added.
He ensures a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident, “with the end in view of ensuring accountability and preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.”
The city government is closely coordinating with other concerned agencies to provide assistance to the victims and their immediate families./CJ, WDJ