Truck falls into Davao river; 3 dead

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — An Army soldier and two militiamen died while six others were injured when their truck fell into a river in New Bataan, Davao de Oro on Saturday morning.

Pfc. Jaynor Makakua of the Army’s 25th Infantry Battalion, and Reynald Balaga and Ferlan Concepcion of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary died at the scene of the accident that occurred in Barangay Andap.

Their companions – Army 1/Lt. Fidel Castro Jr., Sgt. Michael Arzaga, Cpl. Emil Joy Mission and Pvt. Jonel Alvarado, and militiamen Jay-Ar Bale and Ardel Castro – were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries.

Capt. Marc Jaeson Kristoffer Culaste, chief of the New Bataan police, said Makakua lost control of the wheel as the jeep was traveling up a road in Barangay Andap.

Culaste said the vehicle rolled over several times before it fell into the river.