11 killed in van-truck collision in Zambo Norte

ZAMBOANGA CITY — At least 11 people, including a soldier, were killed and two others were injured when a van loaded with passengers smashed into a speeding 10-wheeler cargo truck along the national highway in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte last weekend, police said.

Belated reports reaching the Region 9 police headquarters identified nine of the fatalities as Pfc. Ricky Aquit of the 33rd Infantry Battalion; Plorimit Senoc, Fe Alvarez, Rosalito Manalit, Jungjung de los Santos, Damian Alvarez, Allan Rojaz, Aniceta Sanggayan and Nurhari Akilam, the van’s driver.

Police said the truck driver, Eusebio Alumdia, was unhurt and surrendered after the accident.

Investigation showed the van was trying to overtake a bus when it smashed into the truck on the opposite lane at about 4:30 p.m. last Sunday.

The van was en route from Ipil town to Dipolog City when it met the accident. — Roel Pareño