BACOLOD City — Nine employees of the Bayawan City local government unit (LGU) in Negros Oriental were killed in a road accident in Barangay Kalamtukan, Bayawan City, on Wednesday, February 4.
Based on information obtained by Panay News columnist Erwin Delilan from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), the victims were personnel of the Bayawan City Agriculture Office who were traveling aboard a government-owned Canter truck.
Police said the vehicle was en route to Barangay Manduao to retrieve damaged farming equipment and deliver fuel to farmers when the accident occurred.
Initial reports indicated that the truck overshot a descending portion of the road in Sitio Mansintak, plunged off a cliff, and fell into a river. The victims were rushed to Kalumboyan Hospital but were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician at around 12:35 p.m.
Initial investigation by the Bayawan City Police Office pointed to mechanical failure as the cause of the crash, particularly a suspected brake malfunction.
Department of Agriculture–Negros Island Region Director Engr. Albert Barrogo expressed grief over the incident, saying the victims were agriculture mechanics conducting field operations at the time of the accident.
Authorities said a thorough investigation into the incident is ongoing./PN
