14 dead as overloaded jeep plunges into Kalinga ravine

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Fourteen passengers, including 13 senior citizens, perished when their hired overloaded jeepney plunged into a ravine in Balbalan, Kalinga, Tuesday afternoon.

Twenty five other passengers were injured.

The senior citizens, who were among the estimated 50 passengers of the ill-fated jeepney, were returning home to Barangay Dao-angan after claiming their pension at the Balbalan municipal hall when tragedy struck.

Chief Inspector Richard Gadingan, information officer, of the Kalinga Provincial Police Office, said that the passenger jeepney (WRR-535) owned and driven by Francisco Gumaad Jr. was negotiating a curved, a descending portion of the road.

Gumaad asked the passengers on the roof of the jeep to disembark to make it easier for him to maneuver.

After making it past the curved portion, however, survivors said the driver lost control of the jeepney after its engine conked out.

The vehicle then hurtled down a ravine around 100 meters deep.

The fatalities were identified as Victorino Banglagan, 67; Soledad Dammay, 70; Eliza Amoga, 70; Rosario Badong, 65; Isabel Bagni, 67; Agida Palangdao, 62; Lolita Latawan, 68; William Gamongan, 65; Leota Maday, 72; Angelina Benito, 62; Benjamin Badong, 68; Terresa Dulansi 70; Martin Canao, 67; and Annie Baluga, 45.

Rescuers from the Balbalan local government unit, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, helped extricate and transport the injured passengers to the Kalinga Western District Hospital.

The injured passengers are Arnel Banglagan, 45; Anna Bagwingan, 75; Laika Barbosa, 4; Imelda Cuzon, 52; Manuel Banguingan, 70; Caridad Palicas, 72; Jennifer Esteban, 40; Irene Dammay, 60; Pedro Maday, 82; Agida Palangdao, 42; Lolita Gullipis, 77; Mercedez Lingbao, 62; Joselyn Gannisi, 64; Conchita Canao, 61; Socorro Naganag, 56; Sonia Barbosa, 44; Necita Daggay, 61; Concordia Manadao, 61; Bartolome Balcanao, 85; Patricio Maday, 66; Edmund Duguit, 45; Mariano Palicas, 70; Nanette Gamongan, 61; Leonarda Dumaguing, 69; and Francisco Gumaad Jr., 36.