2 dead, 85 hurt as truck loses control in Camarines Norte

NAGA CITY, Philippines –Two high school students died and 85 others were injured when a government-owned dump truck full of young students and teachers lost control, swerved off the road and fell into a ditch in Barangay (village) Itok, Capalonga, Camarines Norte  Saturday afternoon,  police said on Sunday.

Senior Superintendent Jose Capinpin, provincial police director, said the victims were returning home from a sports event in Gonzalo Aler National High School in Itok, about 7 km from the town proper, when the accident happened at 1:30 p.m. along a winding segment of the road.

Capinpin said a certain Joseph Florante was driving the truck owned by the municipal government and loaded with undetermined number of passengers.

Thrown off the truck, students Sarah Jean De Mesa, 14, and Robert Glomar, 16, died on the spot, Capinpin said.

De Mesa was a resident of Barangay Mataque while Glomar lived in Barangay Old Camp, both of Capalonga town.

The injured students and teachers were rushed to the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital (CNPH) in the capital town of Daet, about 60 kilometers to the southeast, where they were now recuperating, said Capinpin.

Florante, who voluntarily surrendered, would be charged with reckless imprudence resulting to double homicide and multiple physical injuries, according to Capinpin.

Capalonga Mayor Senandro Jalgalado, who rushed to CNPH, said the municipal government would shoulder the expenses in the medical treatment of the victims.

The provincial government would also extend financial assistance to the victims, Camarines Norte Gov. Edgardo Tallado said by phone.