Bontoc mishap leaves 15 dead

BONTOC, Mountain Province, Philippines – At least 15 people were killed and 15 others were wounded when a passenger jeepney lost control and fell into a 75-meter ravine in Besao town, Mountain Province Tuesday afternoon.

Mountain Province police director Sr. Supt. Fortunato Albas said Victor Balolang, Esther Lawig, Nel Pambalan,  Rosaline Panduyos, Rogelio Pagada, Samuel Songaben, Alicia Layao, Onsi Songaben, and Corazon Dasing died on the spot.

Teresita Arquero, Mary Binwag and Jommel Coltiyen died while being rushed to a hospital.

Sagmayao Songaben, Rocky Songaben and Ranoy Fernan Pagosto died while being treated at the Luis Hora Hospital in Bauko town.

Investigators reported that the driver of the jeepney (BCX 641) lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a slippery bend in Sitio Bunga, Barangay Catengan along the Besao-Banaao Provincial Road and dived into the ravine.

The victims had just attended a victory party of Sanguniang Bayan member Orzille Estangki in Besao and were heading home to Bontoc when the mishap occurred at around 4 p.m. – Artemio Dumlao, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Charlie Lagasca