13 killed, 30 injured in Samar accident

TACLOBAN CITY – Thirteen people died while 30 others were seriously injured after the Isuzu truck they were riding collided with a motorcycle locally known as “Habal-habal.”

Police said the accident occurred at the national highway in Barangay Cagsalaosao, some six kilometers away from the city proper of Calbayog at around 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Eastern Visayas regional director Chief Superintendent Abner Cabalquinto told The Star that the 43 victims on board  the Isuzu truck came from the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) last day of registration for the Oct. 29 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, when the truck suddenly ran out of control and swerved to the left lane of the highway, colliding with a motorcycle from the opposite direction.

Cabalquinto identified the fatalities as Junjun Francisco,16; Jordan Palatones, 15; Sherwin Duha, 15; Junmark Puguso, 15; Lope Casper, 16; Bonbon Looc, 15; Jayboy Arabis,15; Reneboy Suarez, 17; Amador Maribojoc, 16; Ramil Cabig, 15; Samley Ortega, 16; and Joven Suarez 15, who all died on the spot.

The other casualty, Amparo Banciano, 65; and among the three back-riders of the motorcycle, was declared dead on arrival at the Our Lady of Porziuncola Hospital in Calbayog.

The 30 injured riders were brought to different hospitals in Calbayog. As of press time, no official statement from hospital authorities was released regarding the victims’ condition.

The truck driver, Fermin Raypan, 28, and a resident of Barangay Panlayahan, Tinambacan District, Calbayog is now in the custody of the Calbayog central police station.