(UPDATE) 31 cops injured in Sarangani road mishap

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - At least 31 members of the police elite force were hurt when a vehicle carrying them overturned in a curve road in southern Philippines early today, local police said.

Police Office of Southern Philippine Province of Sarangani said that a Mitsubishi Elf with 36 personnel of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police (PNP-SAF) on board was traversing the national highway in the province's Kiamba town before dawn. However, the driver lost control of the steering wheel at around 2:50 a.m. local time, causing the vehicle to overturn.

As a result, 31 PNP-SAF personnel sustained injuries and they were brought to different hospitals, while five others were unharmed, the police said.

The vehicle came from Southern Philippine city of General Santos and was en route to Palembang, Sultan Kudarat province when the accident happened as the vehicle was maneuvering a curve, the police added.