FOUR vehicular accidents happened in three provinces in Cordillera on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday, killing eight and injuring 21 others.
In the first incident, which happened on April 20, eight persons died, while 14 others were injured when a dump truck fell into a five-meter ravine in Sitio Binongsay, Malin-awa, Tabuk City, Kalinga.
The Police Regional Office-Cordillera identified the fatalities as Jules Mangagom Alvester, 7; Jhelyn Khim Gallema, 13; Rufina Limto Gaano, 49; Edmund Lagwingon Mangagom; Gaspar Edoc; Crisanta Casirayan; Rucita Mangagom; and Doming Matalang.
Five of them were declared by doctors as dead upon arrival, while the three died while receiving medical treatment.
They were with 14 others who were bound to visit a sick relative and attend an indigenous practice.
Tabuk City Police Station personnel responded to the incident.
Investigation revealed that the dump truck, driven by Mark John Sumaal Lazaro, 20, Kalinga was headed for Barangay Balawag when it suffered mechanical problems and moved backwards, causing it to fall into the ravine.
Lazaro was placed under police custody after he voluntarily surrendered to police. He was subjected to a medical check-up and is now facing charges for multiple homicide and physical injuries.
Also on April 20, around 5 p.m., a jeepney with 16 passengers encountered a mechanical failure while cruising along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet.
Four persons, including the driver, were injured, and were brought to Rosario Emergency Hospital in Rosario, La Union for medical treatment.
Around 10:45 p.m. of April 20, a tricycle figured in an accident in Banangan, Sablan, Benguet.
The driver and his passenger suffered minor injuries.
A few hours later, at 4:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 21, a sports utility vehicle fell in a 20-meter ravine in Alab Proper, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
The identity of the driver, who was rushed to Bontoc General Hospital for medical treatment, is not yet known. (With a report from PNA)