15 killed in Negros Oriental truck plunge
BACOLOD CITY – The death toll in a road mishap involving livestock buyers in Mabinay, Negros Oriental rose to 15 with the death of another passenger on Wednesday night, Feb. 21.
Police Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental police, identified the latest fatality as Almar Egoogan, 26.
Polinar said that Egoogan passed away in a hospital around 6 p.m. due to serious injuries.
Police identified the 14 other victims who died on the spot as Ireneo Magos, 37; Fe Decipolo; Rolindo Decipolo Sr., 63; Jemboy Egoogan; Rolindo Decipolo Jr., 29; Marlon Solidad, 46; Rex Decipolo, 33; Rene Magos, 46; Allan Flores, 36; Allen Pocong, 44; Remond Llenes, 29; Roy Magos, 29; Leo Soreño, 43, and Jacob Labrador, 28, all residents of La Libertad, Negros Oriental.
Polinar said that these 15 passengers, along with two others who were riding a truck driven by Antonio Toreno, died when he lost control over the vehicle due to a malfunctioned brake.
The victims were on their way to Bayawan City to buy livestock animals when the vehicle fell into a cliff in Sitio Tubod, Barangay Bulwang around 1:46 p.m.
Polinar said the area, where the accident happened, was curved and a descending road, as it is situated beside the mountains.
He said that the road was slippery that day because it was raining in the province for two days.
Toreno and passenger Jovanni Flores were seriously injured and confined in a hospital in Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
Polinar said the vehicle was registered to Rolindo Sr.
He said that the ₱1,135,000 cash brought by the victims was recovered and was turned over to their families.
The remains of the victims have been transported to La Libertad later that day, he said.
The municipality of La Libertad condoled with the families of the fatalities.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the departed souls, and we pray for comfort and strength for their grieving families during this difficult time,” the local government posted on its Facebook page hours after the accident.
They also asked for prayers for the immediate recovery of the two individuals currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.
The municipal government of La Libertad expressed its gratitude to the local government of Mabinay through Mayor Ernie Uy, the Mabinay Rescue Team and the Mabinay Health Office for their prompt response during the rescue and retrieval operations.