FOUR individuals died while 24 others were injured after a passenger jeepney they were on lost its brake along Suello Village in Baguio City April 23.
Police Staff Sergeant Ruben Sotelo and Police Chief Master Sergeant Elmo Guzman said the victims came from Crystal Cave Barangay and passed through Suello Village going to San Carlos Heights Barangay for a campaign sortie when the vehicle allegedly lost its brake and turned turtle along a descending portion of the road.
Three of the passengers identified as Elizabeth Panes, Richelda Abigak and Julia Labi died on the spot, even as Adelina Agsaway died while being treated at the hospital.
According to probers, Leander Vergara, driver of the jeepney, said they came from the residence of a congressional candidate from Crystal Cave and was bound for San Carlos for their daily campaign routine when he noticed the brakes of the vehicle were not responding while descending the road.
This forced Vergara to ram the vehicle into a concrete barrier before the vehicle turned upside down.
Meanwhile, former Baguio representative and congressional candidate Nicasio Aliping Jr. assured all the necessary support for the dead and injured volunteer campaigners will be provided for.
“It is unfortunate that our volunteer candidates met an accident near the gate 2 of the Suello Village and we mourn with their families, but we assure to the families of our volunteer campaigners that all the necessary support will be provided for by us. We are currently awaiting the official names of the casualties of the said vehicular accident,” Aliping said.
Vergara was also sent to the hospital to know his physical condition before he will be sent to BCPO for proper documentation while the incident is being investigated.