Seven fatalities have been identified in a tragic accident in Barangay Malasila, Makilala, Cotabato, involving a 10-wheeler truck with faulty brakes.
Police Chief Lt. Col. Rolly Oranza confirmed the incident, which occurred around 7:30 a.m., leaving a trail of destruction along the national highway.
The victims include Leopoldo Ibanez of Barangay Tagbac, Magpet, and Jeralyn Bangcot, 41, of Barangay Kisante, Makilala.
Other casualties are Carlo Dejucos, 34, of Barangay Lanao, Kidapawan City, and Benjamin Ganub, 54, of Malasila.
A family also perished: Joel Pamplona, 35, his wife Christina, 37, and their five-year-old son Jeremiah, all from Sitio Crusher, Malasila.
Seven injured individuals are being treated, including residents from Cotabato, Digos City, and Davao City.
Authorities, led by the Makilala PNP and local disaster response teams, quickly identified and informed the victims’ families.
Heavy equipment was deployed for clearing operations, as the truck damaged vehicles, homes, and a boarding house.
The ill-fated truck was transporting fertilizer from Davao City to Kidapawan City when it lost its brakes.
Makilala Mayor Armando Quibod is pushing for speed limits and mandatory stopovers for large vehicles passing through the municipality.