11 dead, 7 hurt in Compostela road collision

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – At least 11 people were killed while seven others were wounded when their vehicles figured in a head-on collision early yesterday morning in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, authorities said.

Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Compostela Valley police director, said the accident involved a multi-cab and an Isuzu Elf truck cruising opposite lanes of the national highway in Barangay Magsaysay, Nabunturan town.

Aquino said 10 of the 11 people aboard the multi-cab were killed in the mishap.

The fatalities, he said, had come from Agusan del Sur and were on their way to Royal Subdivision in Bangkal, Davao City to attend an event of the Universal Sovereign Church of Blessed Name, of which they were members.

The multi-cab’s driver, a certain Bishop Dencio Munar Yapit, survived. He was rushed to the Compostela Valley provincial hospital.

Meanwhile, of the seven people on board the Isuzu Elf truck, only its driver was killed while the others suffered injuries and were also brought to the Compostela Valley provincial hospital.

Aquino said the multi-cab was cruising the highway in Purok 5, Barangay Magsaysay when it reportedly swerved to the opposite lane, ramming into the oncoming Isuzu Elf truck.

The truck had reportedly come from Tagum City in Davao del Norte and was on its way to Monkayo town when the incident happened. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe