11 Marines, principal hurt as truck falls into ravine in Zambo

Zamboanga City (Image from Google Maps)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least 11 members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 and a school principal were hurt when the military truck taking them to a medical mission plunged 150 meters into a ravine in Barangay Salaan here on Saturday.

Colonel Hernani Songano, deputy commander for Marine operations, said the KM35 truck was in a convoy heading for the village proper when the vehicle ahead of it suddenly stopped.

“The truck driver swerved to avoid an ABS-CBN vehicle that suddenly stopped and lost control of the vehicle, which went straight into the ravine at the side of the road,” Songano said.

The Zamboanga City Police Office said in a report that Joseph Naro Abalos, 59, principal of the Baluno Elementary School, and Corporal Edward Almonte Obag 31, of Negros Oriental, remained in critical condition at a hospital.

The other soldiers sustained minor injuries.

“All the seriously hurt were brought to Ciudad Medical for additional medical attention,” Songano said. /cbb