SAF member killed, 24 hurt as vehicles carrying them plunge into N. Samar town ravine

TACLOBAN CITY – A member of the Special Action Force (SAF) died while 24 others were injured after their vehicles fell on a deep ravine in Las Navas town in Northern Samar on Wednesday afternoon.

Patrolman John Borja was rushed to the Catarman District Hospital in Catarman town but was declared dead on arrival.

The members of the elite force of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were on board two separate vehicles on their way for an operation in Barangay Quirino at around 12:50 p.m. when the vehicle bumped the first due to mechanical error, causing the two to fall off a ravine 25 meters deep.

Among those who sustained serious injuries were Patrolmen Roel Catalbas, Jescel Mark Echem, Elfon Jay Violeta, Joseph Lalino, Raymart Bernard Tacudog, Jerone Ejurango, Muhammad Zulfikhar Anday, Archie Bolon, Oliver Ardoña, Pedro Sally, Leonel Eborda, Polibert Castañeda, Jordan Sabiano, Melrich Daba, Cominso Magsaysay, Jerry Sendo, and Antoine John Escosia.

The group’s leader, Lt. Dominque Ordonio III, sustained minor injuries together with Patrolmen Royd Madelo, Nikko Lekoran Cordada, Clifford Felipe Repollo, and James Royd Galido.