A TEENAGER was killed while 15 others were injured when the dump truck they were riding fell into a ditch and overturned in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the police said Tuesday, August 13.

Police Major Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, said the incident happened around 6:45 p.m. Monday at Sitio Upper Riverside in Poblacion village, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte.

Galvez identified the lone fatality as Junjun Montecillo, 18, a resident of Licabang village, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.

Wounded were the following: Alvin Dunque, 24; Jomar Maata, 29; Jessie Secretaria, 48; Roy Andoy, 28; Pederano Ligutom, 22; Ronie Mangubat, 32; Jay-Ar Adla, 20; Ariol Ticol, 29; Roldan Angilay, 24; Alboy Ticol, 28; Jose Laylay, 60; Toto Sumayong, 21; Jenifer Sumayong, 30; Rolando Adizer, 28; and Junie Esio Opiar, 28, the driver.

Galvez said investigation showed the truck the victims were riding overturned throwing them overboard after it fell into a ditch when the driver, Junie Esio Opiar, 28, lost control of the steering wheel while traveling from Molave, Zamboanga del Sur to Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.

She said Montecillo was pinned by the metal construction materials the truck was carrying at the time of the incident and was declared dead on arrival at Siayan Diagnostic Center. (SunStar Philippines)