Four soldiers dead in Samar vehicular accident

November 20, 2019

Four soldiers died while nine were wounded in a vehicular accident in Samar province.

Maj. Bard Caesar Mazo, spokesman of the 8th Infantry Division, said based on initial report a Toyota Hilux and 10 wheeler truck collided at the Brgy Apolonia, Paranas, Samar around 9 am.

Mazo said the soldiers were onboard the Toyota Hilux while traversing the Paranas - Tacloban highway when it was hit by the truck.

The soldiers who died on the spot because of the incident were identified as  2Lt. Charife Cabanog, Staff Sergeant Crisostomo Gabuay, Staff Sergeant Romel Ombrog and Sergeant Sherwin Antonio.

Mazo identified three injured soldiers as Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Orbito, SGT Nixon Abadiano and Pvt. Mat Raymond Barrantes.

Mazo said the injured soldiers were rushed to St. Paul Hospital in Tacloban City.

Report from Samar Provincial Police identified the other wounded persons as Elvin Brillanes, driver of the wing van truck, who suffered abrasions to the forehead and his helper Alex Dubria sustained head injury.

Four other persons aboard a tricycle identified as Warren Dabuet, the driver and his passengers Janica Baco, Jella Baccol, and Sheryl Maurillo, all students were also hurt.

According to police report, Brillanes was driving the wing van from Hinabangan town to Catbalogan City, when it hit the rear part of the tricycle (HB-9944) which prompted him to maneuver to the opposite lane, where the truck hit the Toyota Hilux carrying the soldiers. Robina Asido/DMS