4 cops, civilian die in Misamis Occidental highway accident

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Four policemen and a civilian died when the patrol pick-up truck they were riding together veered and plunged into a deep roadside cliff in Barangay Napangan in Don Victoriano town in Misamis Occidental at noon Friday, February 13.

Local executives and investigators from the Don Victoriano Municipal Police Station told reporters on Friday that Staff Sgt. Vilcon Tuyan Macabugto and three patrolmen, Neljie Arsula Marban, Rudilyn Ruiz Pacut, and Louel Geraga Cordova, and their civilian companion, an employee of the provincial tourism office in Misamis Occidental, died from serious injuries sustained in the accident.

They were in a convoy of organizers of a tour of beauty pageant contestants in tourist spots in Misamis Occidental when they figured in the accident, which left two other employees of the provincial government injured.

Municipal and provincial police officials told reporters on Friday that the policeman driving the patrol pick-up truck possibly lost control of the wheel due to a mechanical problem, causing the deadly road mishap.

Municipal and barangay officials who responded to the incident said the police vehicle rolled over many times as it fell from the side of the highway and landed on a grassy spot several meters below.

Misamis Occidental provincial officials and the Police Regional Office 10 have assured to help facilitate the burial of the accident fatalities.