AN ELDERLY man and a minor died while eight others, including three other minors, were injured after the truck they were riding collided with another truck along the national highway of Barangay Tabao Rizal in San Enrique, Negros Occidental Sunday, September 30.
Police identified the fatalities as Joseph Andumo, 16, of Moises Padilla town; and Porfino Taborda, 60, of La Castellana town.
Wounded were truck driver Elejandro Gale, 45, Panoy Villagracia, 33, Mario Dela Cruz, 23, Roy Placo, 45, Pederico Adlong, 59, and three minors aged 15 and 17, all residents of La Castellana town.
Senior Inspector Rey Molas, town police chief, said the truck loaded with bamboos and driven by Gale, was on its way to Valladolid town from La Castellana town when the collision happened past 3 p.m. Three persons were seated on top of the bamboos.
Molas said Gale lost control over the truck after it encountered a mechanical problem. It swerved and collided with another truck loaded with sugar which was driven by Reynold Atienza of Bago City. Atienza was on his way to La Carlota City.
Gale's truck fell on the other side of the road. Three of the victims were pinned underneath by the bamboos.
Andumo who was seated at the passenger side and Taborda, who was among those who were buried by the bamboos, died on the spot.
The eight other victims sustained minor injuries. They were all brought to a hospital.
Atienza was unharmed.
Gale, who is detained at the police station, said he is asking forgiveness for what happened.
"Indi ko man gusto na matabo to kay may pamilya man ko galing wala ko na ma control ang salakyan. Gapangayo ko pasensya sa natabo, (I didn't want it to happen because I also have a family but I was not able to control the vehicle. I am asking forgiveness)," Gale said in a media interview.
Gale will be facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple injuries.
