SEVENTEEN passengers, including two children, were injured as the vehicle they were riding fell into a ravine along the highway of Zamboanga del Sur, the police said Thursday, November 08.
The Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula reported that the accident happened at 8:20 a.m. Wednesday at Purok 3 in Tigbao village, Tigbao town.
The police identified the adult victims as follows: Charmange Merontos, 28; Maria Rollylus Jawel, 52; Arnulfo Jawel, 48; Semin Amboangan Jr.,31; Maria Nura Labiaga, 67; Ivy Paclibar, 25; Leken Bari, 29; Teresita Caudia, 57; Merryjoy Maguinda, 15; Glaidylle Solis, 21; Mayjie Ardiente, 35; Vicky Lagchana, 48; Julito Campus, 37; Melanie Campus, 24; Heidilou Sumamban, 22.
The police added that the two children were ages two and six.
Investigation showed the victims were aboard a van driven by Orlando Ocampo, 42, who lost control of the steering wheel and fell into a five-meter deep ravine after avoiding a collision with an incoming motorcycle that encroached their lane while traveling to Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay from Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
Ocampo was unscathed while the van was wrecked as a result of the impact when the vehicle fell into the ravine, the police added. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)