8 killed as truck plunges into ravine in Nueva Ecija

SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija , Philippines  – Eight farm workers were killed and two others were wounded yesterday morning when the truck they were in fell on its side as it was making a sharp turn along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Tayabo.

Provincial police director Senior Superintendent Ricardo Marquez identified six of the fatalities as Romeo Ortiz, Salvador Villareal, Renato Villanueva, Narciso Ortiz Jr., Jerry Gaspar, all from Barangay Sta. Monica, Rizal; and Fidel Ayap from Barangay Sto. Niño 3rd in this city.

The victims, who died from head injuries, were truck helpers, palay buyers, and workers of palay buying stations in Isabela, Kalinga, and Nueva Ecija.

The driver of the truck, Glorioso Tobias, and Ruben Villanueva, sustained minor injuries.

Marquez said that at around 8:45 a.m., the truck fell into a ditch and landed on its left side after Tobias lost control of the steering wheel while making a sharp turn along the highway. 

The southbound truck, with plate number RMG 432, was carrying some 400 sacks of palay from Isabela.

The victims were pinned under the sacks of palay.

City police chief Superintendent Signey Villaflor said Tobias surrendered to police and is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide.

Senior Police Officer 3 Mario Pastor said Tobias was not drunk at the time of the accident. The sharp turn on the highway, he said, is an accident-prone site and four other cargo vehicle accidents have happened there.             – With Charlie Lagasca