SEVENTEEN people, mostly female Catholic devotees, were injured as the passenger jeep they were riding figured in an accident after it failed to climb a steep road in a pilgrimage site in Zamboanga City, the police said Saturday.
Police Major Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, said the incident happened at 9:48 p.m. of Good Friday, April 19 at the Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-Abong, Pasonanca.
Galvez said the victims were identified as follows: Jocelyn Campaner, 46; Agnes Arquiza Campaner, 26; Sammy Aquiza Campaner, 22; Jasmine Campaner Nadate, three; Juvelyn Jebo Abejero, 29; Jema Jebo Abejero, 17; Renelem Salazar Astareja, 30; Liandro Estareja Rabusa, eight; Lilian Salazar Estateja, 37; Rolando Leonares Ligaw, 27; Rosalie Arquiza Pirante, 37; Junrie Mira Bernabela, 20; Ervin Barilea Arquiza, 25; Josa Arquiza Campaner, 23; Marjorie Enderes Embol, 24; Melanie Arquiza Enriquez, 16; and Angelica Arquiza Campaner, 21.
Galvez said investigation showed the victims were aboard a passenger jeep driven by Edgar Estioca, 47, that crashed into a roadside barrier and turned upside down when it failed to climb a steep road while traversing Murok road in Pasonanca village.
She said they were traveling to Mount Abong-Abong at the time of the incident.
Thousands of Catholic devotees flock to Mount Abong-Abong during Holy Thursday and Good Friday for the Station of the Cross.
Galvez said the victims were rushed to the hospital for treatment. (SunStar Philippines)