ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Three persons died when an Elf cargo truck went wayward along the Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat National highway in Lapakan village here around 12 noon Wednesday.

Senior Superintendent Lurimer Detran, city police director, 19 others were injured in the incident.

Detran said an Isuzu Elf truck loaded with agricultural products and passengers was negotiating the highway when it encountered mechanical trouble,

"The driver lost control of the truck, which skidded and rammed a tree," he said.

Detran said the injured passengers were being treated at the Zamboanga City Medical Center.