• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Eight employees of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bayawan City in Negros Oriental and one on-the-job trainee student were killed in a road crash in Sitio Mansintak, Barangay Kalamtukan, at around 11 a.m. yesterday.
PCapt. Stephen Polinar of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) stated in an interview that, according to the investigation, the mini dump truck used by the employees, who were on official duty, was carrying five containers of crude oil and electrical equipment to be delivered for larger vehicles within the vicinity.
As the truck descended the road, it overshot, fell into a ravine, and directly into the river.
Polinar added that no one on board survived the fall, as authorities successfully retrieved the bodies of all nine victims, including the driver.
The vehicle was completely wrecked.
Authorities proceeded to Kalumboyan Hospital to conduct further investigation. Upon arrival at the hospital, all employees were pronounced dead on arrival at around 12:35 p.m. by the attending physician.
The victims have been identified as Diomedes Canoy, Kervin Andog, Larry Llamos, Ronel Cabasag, Jonathan Hamor, Jovanie Babor, Jonaryl Caguisa, and the driver, Egmedio Arnaiz.
Meanwhile, the authorities have identified Warren Aseñas, a student intern from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Bayawan-Sta. Catalina Campus, as among the killed.
Polinar confirmed that all victims were employees of LGU Bayawan.
Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Chaco Sagarbarria expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families while 3rd District Rep. Janice Degamo, in a social media post said that her office will extend burial and financial assistance to the family of the victims.*
