1 killed, 12 hurt as van falls off Sibugay cliff

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines   â€“ A teacher was killed while 12 others were injured when a van fell off a cliff in the town of Buug in Zamboanga Sibugay on Sunday morning.

The injured victims, which included seven students and five school officials, were on their way to Marawi City when their vehicle, a Suzuki van driven by Abdulajid Lukman, 41, teacher, fell into the cliff in Barangay Bulaan at about 10 a.m.

The victims were part of a delegation from the Pangutaran School district of Sulu for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Athletics Association, according to Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office 9.

Case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Dave Ebarle said the van was negotiating a curve when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle.

“Lukman died at the scene,” Ebarle said.

He said the victims, two of them said to be in serious condition, were rushed to the St. John General Hospital for treatment.

The injured officials were identified as school principal Hadji Kuril Tulujid, technical official Andan Tammang, teacher Sitti Ramsani Mahmud, school nurse Nur Aina Ramsani and supervisor Hadji Ayub Ramsani, while the students were identified as Ferdiliza Ainul, Alhaina Banbon, Marhama Sarri, Ummal Nabri, Gerry Hamin, Sitti Rasma Mahmud and Arjaida Atiulla.

Jamar Kulayan, regional director of Department of Education-ARMM, said they would shoulder the hospital expenses of the victims.

Negros mishap leaves 2 dead, 9 hurt

Two women were killed and nine others were injured when a cargo truck rolled over in Isabela town, Negros Occidental on Saturday.

The victims, who were passengers of the Fuso Fighter cargo truck, were on their way to Bacolod City when the accident took place in the village of Cabcab at about  4 p.m., according to Senior Inspector Ramil Sarona, Isabela police chief.

Evangeline Francisco, 47, and 45-year-old Hylen Secan died at the scene while the injured passengers – Steven Francisco, 7; Johnny Secan, 8; Arlene Kahinda, 16; Dante Bot-oy, 22; Arturo Kahinda, 43; Minard Villacapa, 51; Lucresia Merinder, 55; Luzminda Arcivido, 56, and Norfely de la Cruz, 60 – were rushed to the Ignacio Arroyo Memorial District Hospital for treatment.

Truck driver Cezar Orofel told journalists he tried step on the brakes after the vehicle hit a rock, but it rolled over.

Meanwhile in Taytay, Rizal, Roger Cancino was killed after he was run over by a truck on Sunday.

Cancino was walking in Barangay San Juan when a truck driven by Jack Elayda bumped him, according to case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 George Arada.

One of the truck’s tire reportedly crushed Cancino’s head as he fell to the ground. – With Danny Dangcalan, Non Alquitran