EIGHT laborers were killed,, while eight others were wounded in a road mishap in the hinterlands of Zamboanga del Sur, the police reported Monday, March 16.

Police Major Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the fatalities as Rey Alfornon, 24; Orlando Sabejon, 44; Noel Cabellon, 19; Berlindo Labador, 34; Edwin Delos Santos, 70; Marvin Hemang, 30; Loui Jay Omandam, 34; and Ranniel Ermac, 15.

The identities of the other eight laborers were not immediately available. Galvez said they were taken to the hospital in Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur.

She said the victims were aboard a truck loaded with timbers driven by Leolito Tam, 28, when it fell on its side due to mechanical brakes failure while traversing a descending road at 2:15 p.m. Sunday in Purok 1, Barangay Liguac, Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur.

She said charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries are set to be filed against Tam. (SunStar Zamboanga)