SULTAN KUDARAT ROAD MISHAP LEAVES 8 DEAD, 13 WOUNDED

A MINI dump truck on Wednesday fell off a cliff in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat leaving eight people dead and 13 others wounded.

Lebak Municipal Police Station deputy police chief Lt. Jasper Garcia identified the fatalities as Moner Abdulla, Todz Mamintal, Marinaya Nailan, Babylyn Sahipa, Alling Sahipa, Mohammad Digan, Mohammad Macarimbang, and Mando Sali.

All eight were declared dead on arrival at the South Upi Municipal Hospital.

The injured passengers are being treated at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City.

Police said the victims, who are related by blood, are all residents of Bgy. Senditan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.

The accident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday while the victims were on their way to Cotabato City from Bgy. Poloy-Poloy, Lebak, where they attended a Muslim pre-wedding gathering.

An investigation showed the victims were on board a mini dump truck when the driver identified as Alvin Adam, 38, lost control of the steering wheel and fell off a 20-foot cliff.

Witnesses told police that the driver tried to avoid the roadblocks along Bgy. Christianuevo when the incident happened.