6 killed in Maguindanao road accident

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Six commuters, among them a minor, were killed yesterday when the van they were riding on hit a dump truck on a highway in Datu Odin Sinsuat town.

Police said four of the victims died at the scene from head injuries.

The six fatalities were passengers of a Toyota Town Ace on its way to Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat province.

The passenger vehicle sideswiped the truck loaded with sand and gravel upon reaching Barangay Pinguiaman.

The highway where the two vehicles collided was slippery after hours of heavy rain.

Municipal police Chief Inspector Lendsy Sinsuat said traffic probers were still determining which driver was at fault.

Witnesses said many other injured passengers were taken to hospital in Cotabato City.

Sinsuat said residents claimed that the driver of the van was using his mobile phone seconds before the collision.