On the very day of his late wife’s funeral, a father lost his life in a tragic accident, deepening the grief left behind for their two young children.
The Cotabato Provincial Police Office identified the victim as Junifel Conel Sr., an employee of the Cotabato Provincial Engineer’s Office.
Investigations revealed that Conel was driving their Mitsubishi Adventure to a water refilling station in Barangay Kilada, Matalam, on Saturday morning when he suddenly lost control of the steering wheel.
The impact was severe, causing his vehicle to crash into a parked Isuzu ten-wheeler truck on the side of the highway.
Conel was declared dead on the spot, while his son, Junifel Jr., who was in the car with him, sustained injuries.
The truck driver, identified as Ryan Puno Osumo, suffered minor injuries and immediately surrendered to authorities at the Matalam Municipal Police Station for investigation.
According to relatives and barangay officials, Conel may have fallen asleep while driving due to exhaustion from keeping vigil over his late wife’s wake.
Now, the couple’s two young children are left orphaned—a heartbreaking tragedy unfolding amid a time of mourning.