18 injured in vehicular accidents

EIGHTEEN people, including eight soldiers, were injured in two separate vehicular accidents in Zamboanga City and nearby province of Basilan.

The police said eight soldiers were injured in a road mishap Friday in the village of Sta. Clara, Lamitan City, Basilan.

The other 10 victims, who are fiesta goers, were injured when the truck they were riding crashed on a tree around 10 a.m. Wednesday in the village of Tolosa, 23 kilometers east of Zamboanga City.

Investigation showed that the eight soldiers were on their way to the 104th Infantry Brigade headquarters in Isabela City, the province’ capital, coming from the municipality of Sumisip, the Lamitan City police said.

Investigation showed that the vehicle’s brake malfunctioned causing the vehicle to overturn, throwing all of the passengers on the pavement, the police said.

They were rushed by civilian to the Dr. Jose Maria Torres Memorial Hospital and later five of them were transferred to the Camp Navarro General Hospital (CNGH) of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom).

Those transferred to the CNGH were identified as Sergeants Jilton Almonte and Rico Talan, and Corporals Rex Dalida, Arnel Alberto Suyat and Ronald Sebastian.

Meanwhile, injured on Wednesday’s accident were identified as Rodelin Dela Cruz, 43, a councilor of Tolosa village, Samuel Pantaleon, 50, Marlon Atilano, 30, Maria Luisa Marcial, 48, Asuncion Cabayacruz, 55, Florentino Columbres, 50, Susan Salarat, 44, Bonifacia Atilano, 59, Anthony Narca, 16, and Cristy Columbres, 16.

Investigation showed the victims were aboard a truck driven by Dela Cruz on the way to Sitio Pnagulayan, Tolosa village, to attend a fiesta when the vehicle’s propeller malfunctioned while they were negotiating a slope, said Police Station 3 deputy commander Inspector Federico Lindo.

Lindo said Dela Cruz decided to bump the truck on a tree to prevent the vehicle from falling into a ravine.

The victims were rushed to the Zamboanga City Medical Center for treatment, he said.