Toledo city truck accident: Truck driver to face homicide raps

CEBU, Philippines - Toledo City Police Station chief Teofilo Siclot said truck driver Joel Pepito will be facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and serious physical injuries and damage to property in relation to the accident in Barangay Poog, Toledo City, the other day.

Pepito, 31, of barangay Tulay, Minglanilla, was driving the truck owned by CNT Trucking from Cebu City to Atlas Fertilizer in Barangay Sangi, Toledo City, last Monday, and passed Poog around 4:20 p.m.

The truck was carrying two twenty-foot container van containing empty sacks.

Siclot also added that the speed of the trailer truck was slow but because the area was curved and there were no road signs, Pepito failed to manage his truck and the containers vans fell off.

The vans pinned and killed Efren Sitoy, 24; Ariel Roble, 19; Orlando Sunggayan, 32, and Julieta Mainit, 35. 

Those injured were identified as Eddie Hermoso, 26, and his wife Laarni, both from barangay Awihaw, of the said city; Arjie Sunggayan, 10 and his four-year-old brother, Adrian; Mike Henry Cañizares, 34; Peter Abadilla, 28; Avita Castañares, 45; and Vilma Casas, 39, of barangay Langlang, Danao City.

Pepito fled the scene but later surrendered to the police, he is now temporarily detained at the Toledo City Police Station.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board regional director Benjamin Go of the said city that they are still waiting for the accident report. He also said the trailer truck has to undergo a roadworthiness test.

“I urge all the drivers’ nga before muda og sakyanan to check first the brakes, lights, water, oil and gas,” Digal said.

Meanwhile, the Cebu provincial government will provide financial assistance to the families of those who were killed in the accident.

Capitol spokesman Rory Jon Sepulveda said the release of the financial assistance will depend on the recommendation of Provincial Social Welfare officer Marivic Garces.

Sepulveda said Garces will also coordinate with the City Social Welfare Officer in Toledo City.

“Basta dunay mga aksidente sa dalan nga naglambigit sa atrong mga kaigsoonan, mohatag dayon ug aksyon ang opisina ni Mrs. Garces,” Sepulveda said. – PIT interns Lorlaine Joy Olorvida and Lalaine Mae Calatrava with Jose P. Sollano/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)