Google map of Matalam, North Cotabato
COTABATO CITY -- Sixteen persons were injured when the passenger jeepney they were riding in figured in an accident along the national highway in Matalam, North Cotabato Tuesday.
Supt. Bernard Tayong, speaking for the North Cotabato provincial police office, said that what was supposed to be a happy reunion for the victims turned into a tragedy.
“Lucky enough, nobody was killed,” he said in a phone interview with the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday.
He said the victims were heading to a family gathering in Purok 7, Barangay Manubuan, Matalam, North Cotabato when the accident transpired.
While negotiating a downhill section of the highway from Kidapawan City to adjacent Matalam town, the driver, Rene Torre Paciente, lost control of the jeepney after noticing that the brake system had malfunctioned.
Paciente said he tried his best to slow down the vehicle but it tilted to its side.
Injured were Susan Garcia, 65, Aniela Theress Garcia; Althea Garcia, 9; Federico Garcia, 68, all confined at the North Cotabato Provincial Hospital.
Also injured and confined at the Kidapawan City Medical Specialist Hospital are Benjalen Prado, 41; Zedney Jane Prado, 9; Kyle Prado, 7; Argie Tasic, 32; Kristopher Ivan Tasic, 4; Kian Ali Tasic, 7; Darwin Garcia, 29; Jarlene Dele, 54; Josephine Prado, 65; Maria Garcia, 53; Maria Claire Garcia, 23; all of Barangay New Pandan, Matalam, and Cecilia Dale, 54; of Barangay Paco, Kidapawan City. (PNA)
