MATALAM, Cotabato – A New Year’s Day reunion turned tragic when a fully loaded vehicle crashed along the national highway in Matalam on Wednesday morning.
According to Maj. Maxim Peralta, the Matalam police chief, a Suzuki multi-cab carrying 12 passengers, including four minors, veered off the highway in Barangay Central Malamote at around 10 a.m.
The vehicle then struck a roadside metal railing, causing the passengers to be ejected and thrown onto the concrete pavement, Peralta reported.
Rescue teams immediately transported the injured to a local hospital, but three of them, including a pregnant woman, were declared dead hours later.
Dennis Pillado, an off-duty soldier who was driving the vehicle, told investigators they were on their way to Pres. Roxas town to celebrate the holiday with relatives when the accident occurred.
The victims were identified as Almira Pillado, Michelle Pillado, who was pregnant, and Liza Rulida, all residents of Barangay Dalipe, Mlang town.