By CESAR JOLITO III
The results of the fact-finding committee’s investigation into a vehicular accident that killed seven individuals in Negros Occidental’s Silay City will be the basis for the city government to initiate legal proceedings, Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego said, vowing full transparency in the probe.
“We owe it to the victims and their families to find out what really happened,” Gallego said, emphasizing accountability for those involved.
Gallego ordered the creation of the committee on Friday, July 4, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the vehicle mishap of a city government-owned mini dump truck on June 27.
“I am waiting for the results of the investigation to be conducted by the committee,” he added.
The investigation group will be composed of various city departments, tasked with determining the cause of the incident and identifying possible lapses in safety protocols.
The tragic accident claimed the lives of seven job order city government employees after they participated in a tree-planting activity.
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.
The victims, including some others, were aboard a mini dump truck when it overturned along a slope in Hacienda Paho, Barangay Guimbala-on.
According to the Silay City Police, 18 individuals were injured in the crash, including truck driver Hernane Masa.
As of this time, six remain confined in a local hospital.
Two of them are scheduled to be discharged soon, while one remains in the intensive care unit in critical condition, police said.
No charges filed
Silay police chief Lt. Colonel Mark Darroca said Masa had been released from police custody.
This came after the victims’ families were not interested in filing a lawsuit against Masa, who sustained broken ribs following the incident.
Darroca said there is only one of the injured who has not decided whether to file a case or not against the driver.
Earlier, Gallego said it is the responsibility of the Silay police to file a case against Masa, who was recently asked to submit a written explanation to the Land Transportation Office (LTO-6) in Western Visayas’ Intelligence and Investigation Unit regarding the incident, based on a show-cause order.
Masa was given five days to explain his side.
Failure to respond to the order will be deemed a waiver of his right to be heard, allowing LTO-6 to resolve the case based on existing evidence.
Sections 18, 32 and 48 of Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, require vehicles to display valid number plates, mandate the exercise of due care, and prohibit reckless driving.
Earlier, police said Masa allegedly lost control of the mini dump truck after the brakes broke./CJ, WDJ