The ill-fated DPWH pickup truck. (Photo courtesy of Jhonxil Sajulga)
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — A government-owned vehicle carrying employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) crashed into a parked truck in Tigbao town, Zamboanga del Sur province on Friday afternoon, killing two passengers.
Executive Master Sgt. Phillip Basaya Jr. of the Tigbao Municipal Police Station identified the employees as Christopher Butak, 32, of Dumalinao town, and Alfonso Apable, 51, of Pagadian City.
The pickup, driven by Reymart Medalla, was traveling from Kumalarang town to Pagadian City during heavy rain. Upon reaching Barangay Begong of Tigbao, Medalla tried to overtake a motor cab on an ascending portion of the national highway but lost control of the vehicle on the slippery road, eventually swerving to the right, hitting the parked dump truck.
Villagers rushed to the scene and brought the passengers to the hospital where Butak and Apable were pronounced dead.