4 dead, 5 hurt as truck carrying PH Marines falls off cliff in Cavite

SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna, Philippines — A truck carrying nine people, mostly members of the Philippine Marines, fell off a cliff in Ternate, Cavite on Wednesday, killing four persons.

As of past 1 p.m., Senior Superintendent Joselito Esquivel, Cavite police director, said three Marines and the truck driver, a civilian, were reportedly killed, while five other passengers, also Marines, were wounded.

An earlier report said that all of the fatalities were Marines.

The wounded were brought to the San Lorenzo hospital in Cavite.

Esquivel said the six by six truck fell off a cliff, about 40 to 50-foot-deep, near the Marines’ base camp in Ternate around 9 a.m.

He said an initial report from the field said the truck driver lost control of the vehicle.

It was not clear yet though where the soldiers were headed when the accident happened.

“Recovery (of the truck) is still ongoing. I’ve sent two (Cavite) police chiefs and a (police) team to help,” Esquivel said by phone.

Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Jesus Millan, Philippine Navy Chief, and Major General Romeo Tanalgo, Marine Corps Commandant, have expressed their sincere condolences to the bereaved families.

“We mourn the loss of three Philippine Marine Corps personnel and a civilian employe who are all stationed in Marine Base Gregorio Lim in Ternate, Cavite,” said Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Philippine Navy spokesman.

“While the names are withheld until the next of kin were properly informed, they directed the immediate attention for the victims and to extend all support necessary to ensure the welfare of the personnel and their families,” Arevalo said. With reports from Bong Lozada and Nestor Corrales, INQUIRER.net