Misamis road mishap death toll climbs to 12

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Three more persons died in a road accident in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 12.

M/Sgt. Rogel Pabatao of the Balingasag police said the driver of the Mitsubishi Canter, Junryl Cagmat, told responders that the truck rammed a pile of concrete blocks and rolled over in Sitio Bag-ay, Barangay Baliwagan at around 9:30 a.m. when the brake malfunctioned.

Nine of the fatalities were identified as Elizabeth Bagabaldo, Allan Cadenas, Joseph Dallanta, Edelberto Albios, Ninno Linas, Cristina Cadenas, Susan Dallanta, Loling Sinag-od and Stella Mae Maraon.

Cagmat said several passengers were thrown out from the vehicle due to the impact of the crash.

Seventeen other passengers, six of them children aged four to 12, were injured. Many of them suffered bone fractures.

Maj. Teodoro de Oro, Balingasag police chief, said the truck driver faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple serious physical injuries and damage to property.

The victims are barangay workers and their family members, all residents of Sitio Impakibel, Barangay Aposkahoy in Claveria town.

They were on their way to a beach resort in Lagonglong town when the accident occurred.