Otso Diretso mourns death of 6 volunteers in road crash

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela – Opposition senatorial candidates have condoled with the families of their six volunteers who died in a road mishap in Baguio City on Tuesday.

A vehicle loaded with Otso Diretso volunteers figured in a fatal road crash in Suello Village, Baguio City, Otso Diretso’s official Facebook page announced Wednesday.

This was confirmed by the slate’s staff members.

“Kahapon, sa Suello Village, Baguio City, isang sasakyang puno ng Otso Diretso volunteers ang naaksidente. Anim sa ating mga kapwa-volunteer ang pumanaw sa trahedya. Nakikiramay ang buong Otso Diretso community,” the post stated.

The team identified the casualties as Julia Labi, Adelina Agsaoay, Elizabeth Panis, Richelda Abigar, Josephine Ag-a and John Roy Passi.

“We were devastated kasi the lifeblood ng Otso Diretso is volunteers eh. Part of us bled. Kami, in behalf of the Otso Diretso and the 60,000 plus volunteers worldwide na nagtatrabaho, kami po sa Baguio ay nakikiramay po,” Marawi civic leader and senatorial bet Samira Gutoc said in an interview before her dialogue with various sectors here at Northeastern College, Thursday.

Former solicitor general Florin Hilbay, meanwhile, vowed that they would continue their fight for the late volunteers.

“Malalim na pakikiramay sa pamilya ng ating mga Otso Diretso volunteers. Kasama ako sa inyong dalamhati at kalungkutan. Mula sa akin, sa aking pamilya, at sa buong campaign team, maraming salamat sa ibinuhos niyong oras, lakas, at buhay para sa kampanya,” Hilbay wrote in a Facebook post.

“Itutuloy natin ang laban, Julia, Adelina, Elizabeth, Richelda, Josephine, at John Roy,” he added. /gsg