6 doctors, driver helping ‘Pablo’ victims hurt in vehicle accident

MANILA, Philippines - Six doctors helping typhoon “Pablo” victims and their driver were seriously injured after their vehicle slammed into a tree in Baganga, Davao Oriental Tuesday afternoon, the military said yesterday.

The doctors – identified as Nic Cantiro, Almatin Dimaucom, Nor-ayin Salic, Junnah Mangacy, Grace Espinosa, Taher Salaik, all members of a medical team from the provincial health office of Maguindanao – and the driver, Tuy Pangilan, sustained head and body injuries.

The seven were initially brought to the Cateel District Hospital but were transferred yesterday to Southern Philippines Medical Center in Mawab, Compostela Valley for further medical treatment.

“While Salik is now stable, the rest are still in critical condition,” Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesman of the 10th Infantry Division, said.

Paniza said the group, in a Mitsubishi Pajero, were traveling along the highway in Barangay Lucud when the incident happened past 4 p.m.

He said the team was on their way home from a medical mission for typhoon victims at the Incident Command Post (ICP) in the village.

Initial investigation showed the driver tried to avoid hitting a motorcycle, but he lost control and slammed into the tree at the side of the road.