Tragedy after family reunion in Tacurong

TACURONG CITY – What was supposed to be a joyous clan reunion turned tragic when eight family members died after their vehicle collided with a huge truck along the highway here around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.

One of the fatalities was identified as PO1 Dennis Sancho, a member of the Esperanza municipal police station, who was driving the multi-cab packed with his relatives that was left devastated after being rammed by a 10-wheeler truck pm EJC Montilla road.

Also killed were Sancho’s five-yearold son Christian Jay, Teresita Yalong Viroza, 63; Reggie Deligero Yalong, 20; Jaja Yalong, 7; Jelai Yalong, 8; Rosie Yalong Aquino, 50; and another unidentified passenger.

Most of them, particularly the children, were pinned down under the wreck.

The others injured, who were also riding in the multi-cab, were Angel Yalong, 7; Ariel Aquino Yalong, 38; and Ricardo Aquino Yalong, 31.

Five of those onboard the truck, including the driver identified only as Minyong and truck helpers Murillo Guerrero, 42; and Michael Libung Diamante, 28, were also hurt during the collision.

Those injured were brought to the Quijano Hospital and Saint Louis Hospital in Tacurong City and Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat for medical treatment.

Supt. Diony Buenacosa, chief of the Tacurong City PNP, said the Yalong and Sancho families were coming from an annual reunion at the Monte Vicencio Resort at Barangay Pasi, this city, when tragedy struck along EJC Montilla road.

Buenacosa, citing initial investigation, said that the multi-cab attempted to overtake another vehicle but missed and instead collided with a truck headed towards its direction.

The truck was loaded with palay that was going to be delivered to nearby Lambayong town, also in Sultan Kudarat to Tulunan town in North Cotabato.

“The impact was so strong that it made the multi-cab turn upside down. Many of those killed were not able to get out from the vehicle, especially the children,” said the police officer.

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and multiple serious physical injuries are being readied against the truck driver.