10 die, many hurt in Barili

CEBU, Philippines - Ten people died and about 50 more were injured when an overloaded dump truck owned by the Municipality of Barili lost its brakes and fell on its side yesterday afternoon.

They were on their way to bury the remains of Tranquilina Imit, 80, but there would be many more funerals instead.

The incident happened in Barangay Balao, Barili. The town is located 61 kilometers south of Cebu City.

Eight were declared dead by the Barili District Hospital while two were declared dead on arrival at the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

Those injured are confined in the different district hospitals in the south and DVSMMC. As of 7:45 p.m., a total of 42 were reported to have been confined at DVSMMC.

Among the fatalities were Epifanio Angana, 60; Cirio Escarpi, 40; Jerry Grepo; Bonifacio Repunte; Rosendo Ricaplaza; Herbacia Paragosa; Agido Napoleon; and Ariel Yek, 17.

Only a few of the injured were named. Among those identified were Jerimar Rebuyas, 12; Leonida Capasilan, 28; Rene Alicaya, 22; Romulo Manacio; Marino Angana, 46; Rafael Manacio, 52; Samuel Roque, 39; Miguel Cabillo, 60; Sacarias Yek, 24; Dominggo Manacio, 33; Aquilles Yek, 25; Roberto Yek, 31; Myrna Bequilla, 32; Gregoria Lacostales, 57; Juana Lacostales, 47; Feliciano Bequilla, 53; and Leon Manacia.

All the victims are from Barangay Kangdampas.

Kangdampas barangay captain Leonardo Iñigo Sr. said that about 60 to 70 persons were onboard the dump truck bearing plate numbers SHW-781 driven by Alwin Bayno, 37, of Barangay Lupo.

They were on the way to the cemetery in Barangay Poblacion when the incident happened.

Iñigo was tailing the truck in his own vehicle and witnessed the mishap.

He narrated that before they reached a sloping road at the boundary of Barangays Budbod and Balao, the driver stopped the truck and poured brake fluid before he proceeded.

While the truck was traveling, Iñigo noticed that somebody onboard jumped off the road and later the truck swerved left and fell on the ground throwing some of the passengers.

Bayno claimed he noticed that the vehicle already had a brake problem, but he thought he could handle it by adding fluid.

He said that he lost control of the vehicle after the rubber cap exploded. He said that he tried to avoid the houses along the road.

 “Wa ko nisuway og bangga kay daghang balay unya daghang maamong, disgrasya lang gyud to,” Bayno said.

Bayno also denied the claims of others that he was under the influence of liquor while driving the vehicle.

He was driving the truck for two years now and it was the first time he met an accident.

The driver is now detained at the Barili police stockade.

Burial

After the victims were rescued, those who were not hurt continued with the original plan to bury the body of Imit.

Her casket also fell off the truck during the accident.

Iñigo told The FREEMAN that he requested for another vehicle from the municipality to bring the remains of Imit to the cemetery.

The first vehicle that was sent had electrical problems prompting them to request for another vehicle.

Only three of Imit’s grandchildren brought her to her final resting place.

Iñigo said that the old woman asked before she died that the casket be carried from her home to her grave.

Assistance

Barili Mayor Teresito Mariñas assured the families of the deceased that they will be given burial assistance and additional monetary assistance.

Those who were injured will be given hospitalization assistance.

Mariñas said he will also ask for assistance from the provincial government.

He said that the truck was supposed to be used in Aloguinsan town that day, but due to request of the barangay captain he cancelled the plan.—/NLQ (FREEMAN)