HOLY MONDAY ROAD MISHAP LEAVES 17 DEAD

AT LEAST 17 people were charred to death in a road accident on Holy Monday in Antipas, Cotabato.

Seven of the fatalities were identified as Nonoy Bunda, the van driver; Vence Lopez, Irish Lopez, Jenevive Vicente, Sherly Pojas, Coco Pojas, and Kimberly Shainne Armada.

The names of the other victims were being verified.

An investigation showed the victims, some were farmers who were  on their way to Kidapawan to receive assistance from the government, were riding a van when it collided with a cargo truck loaded with sand and gravel on the national highway in Bgy. Lohong at 12:30 p.m. on Holy Monday.

The van flipped twice, plunged into the road canal and caught on fire.

The dump truck driver identified as Edwin Dumapias Nasiad and helpers Wilmark Josil Panoy and Gregorio Wallace Casiño survived the incident but are still under medication in a medical facility.

The local government unit of Antipas expressed sadness over the incident and asked for prayers for the victims.

The LGU said it was working to provide the necessary assistance and support to the families of the victims, most of whom were residents of the town.

The Antipas Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office described the area as accident prone.

An investigation is ongoing.