Truck plows into Misamis roadside wake; 8 dead

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY , Philippines — Eight persons died and five others were injured when a trailer truck carrying a heavy equipment plowed into a group of people attending a wake along the road in Barangay Aplaya in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental on Tuesday night.

Maj. Evary Bacunawa, Jasaan, police chief, identified six of the fatalities as Lemwel Hermis Edurot, 33; Wilfredo Capilador Jr., 32; Cirick Jadumas, 53; Helardo Montecillo, 65; Jomie Montecillo, 45, and Justine Pepito, 15.

Edurot and Capilador were barangay council members.

Helario Ontecillo, 31; Shiela Montecillo, 23; Ariel Ampion, 22; Christ King Emanel, 22, and Jelson Emanel, 45, were injured.

Several motorcycles and other vehicles parked along the road were damaged.

Bacunawa said an Isuzu Prime Mover, which was loaded with a bulldozer, plowed into the crowd at around 11:20 p.m.

The truck reportedly came from Butuan City and was on its way to Zamboanga City.

Initial investigation showed the driver lost control of the wheel when the truck encountered mechanical problem.

The truck driver, Vincent Rey Abuloc, 29, managed to escape.

Bacunawa said Abuloc would be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple injuries and damage to properties.

Police officers said there could have more casualties had they not reprimanded those who attended the wake for not observing physical distancing.

Jasaan Mayor Redentor Jardin said he would meet with members of the local inter-agency task force on COVID-19 to review their protocols during wakes and other gatherings.

Jardin gave assurance that authorities have been implementing crowd control in gatherings to prevent the spread of the disease.

”We cannot prevent wakes but we cannot add to the risk,” he said.