Simba kills 7

An armored military fighting vehicle on its way to Laguindingan airport from Iligan City figured in a head-on collision with a passenger van in Manticao town, Misamis Oriental at about 8:30 Monday evening, July 17, leaving 7 people dead and 8 others wounded.

Police said 14 of the victims were in the van while another one, a motorcycle driver, was also injured.

The dead were identified as Hadji Macaumbos, Rey Mancao, Siete Guimba, Jocelyn Baldoz, van driver Hadji Bangcola, and an unidentified woman.

Senior Inspector Marlo Lanioso, Manticao police chief, said passenger Nobalsa Domapo was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead Tuesday, July 18.

The 8 other wounded passengers who are still recuperating at the Manticao provincial hospital were identified as Renzo Pagayon, Raima Tangote, Norhaya Ampaan, Hadji Lanto, Reham Lanto, Dimpinto Norjama, Samsodin Domapo and a 9-year old boy.

“14 kabouk sakay sa van apil ang driver unya ika-15 ang driver sa motor. Wala pa nato nasuta aha ato ang driver sa motor kay nagsagol-sagol naman unya naa nay nag-claim sa unidentified woman pero wala pa nako makuha,”Lanioso said.

Authorities said the Simba vehicle, an armored personnel carrier of the military driven by Staff Seargent Danny Tenezo crashed head-on into the van driven by Bangcola and sideswiped another motorcycle.

Lanioso said the Simba was part of a military convoy led by an army truck and four back up Simba vehicles were travelling from Iligan City to Cagayan de Oro City to haul logistical supply at Laguindingan airport.

Upon reaching at the place of incident, the lead car started overtaking a trailer truck while the SIMBA vehicles followed.

While overtaking, the SIMBA A6030 crashed into the van coming from the opposite direction.

Lanioso said the military vehicle drivers had lapses when they overtook a ‘no overtaking and a curve lane’.

However, Lanioso said the driver of the van also failed to recognize the military vehicles whose hazard lights were blinking while overtaking.

“Nag-hazard ang mga military vehicles, failure pud sa hi-ace van pag-recognize sa emergency situation og unta gi-give way na lang pud siya,”Lanioso said.

Lanioso said Tenezo will face reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide, multiple physical injury and damage to property charges.

Tenezo was detained at the Manticao police station while awaiting for the filing of charges today, July 19.