Tribal folk mourn death of 11 killed in jeep fall

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Tribal folks of Dallican, a remote village here are now mourning the death of their kin -- among 11 people who were killed when a passenger jeepney fell down a deep ravine here May 13.

           

Nine were injured in the accident at SitioBalitian of this capital town while four passengers and the driver were unhurt.

           

Investigation by Bontoc police revealed around 2 p.m. that day,   driver Antonio  DulawanCordag, 36, while   going up  the road to Dalican   stopped  the vehicle  to retrieve a fallen baggage.       

           

The vehicle slipped backward and the back right wheel hanged on the side of the road.

           

The driver shouted advising passengers not to panic. Those who were on top of the  vehicle  jumped off causing the jeep  to get unbalanced and fell down the ravine around 150 meters down.

Pronounced dead on arrival at the Bontoc General Hospital were  ShereleeBenis, 23;  ChowareyArokod; Teresa Aronchay, 32; Mary Ann Camboli, 42;  ChagnonChamkas, 55; JonalynSallongen, 23;and  Adeline Domacyon, 34. 

           

The following suffered multiple head injuries  and eventually died at the hospital namely  Helen Lachica, ChandaChamkas, 41;  Melvin Arunchay, 8 and Delia Sumilao, 34.  Injured  with lacerated wounds and admitted  at the  hospital were Myrna Lapaan, 22; JacquilineBanganan, 47; Luisa Waking, 42; ZeniaMaskay, 14; Rachelle  Lapaan, 20;  and Abraham Mangusan, 37. Referred to  Baguio hospitals for multiple head injuries were  Jessica Sumilao, 10; IsaganiFalisong, 12; Stevenson Paraan, 12; and Jane Falisong, 33.

           

The driver and passengers Nestor MaskayJr, Jackson Banganan and two  unidentified Army personnel were unhurt.         

           

The driver is currently under the custody of  Bontoc police.

           

Members  of Bontoc police led by town chief  DyannBomoweyBangcawayan, Philippine Army, Bureau of  Fire Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bontoc Federated  Operators and Drivers Association, Bontoc Emergency Response Team, MT Province  Provincial Police Office,  Provincial Headquarters and Mt Prov Police Public Safety  Company responded following  call of a concerned citizen informing  them about the accident.