9 dead in Leyte road mishap

TACLOBAN CITY , Philippines  —   Nine people died and 12 others were injured when a van collided with a six-wheeler truck in Babatngon, Leyte yesterday.

Eight of the fatalities, all passengers of the van, were identified as Mimi Ochea, Emi Conde, Marilyn Taringan, Alden and Remelyn Camuin, Jackson Casarigo, Eyon Pescos and Lilia Catman, all residents of Babatngon. They died at the scene.

Chino Bryan Becha, a resident of Talalora, Samar, died while being treated at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, where the other injured passengers were also taken for treatment.

The truck driver, Wenwen Leon, a native of North Cotabato, was arrested. His helper, who was among those injured, remains confined in the same hospital.     

Col. Rolando Badi, Leyte police chief, said the van was on its way to Tacloban City when it collided with the truck in the opposite direction in Sitio Tab-ang, District 3 at around 6:05 a.m.

The van rolled over due to the impact of the crash.