5 dead, 9 injured in road mishap in Mt. Province
BONTOC, Mt. Province – Five people were confirmed dead and nine were injured when the tourist van they were riding fell in a 50-meter ravine in Ampawilen, Sadanga, Mountain Province at about 10 p.m. on Friday.
In a post on its official social media page on Saturday, the Mountain Province Provincial Police Office (MPPPO) said the white Nissan van with plate number NDA 9883 slipped and landed in the river, resulting in the death of three male and two female passengers.
Police and other rescuers who immediately rushed to the scene had to use ropes to descend the ravine and lift the passengers out.
The injured victims were taken to the Bontoc General Hospital and are now recuperating, the report said.
Initial information said the vehicle was bound for Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga when the accident happened.
Meanwhile, MPPPO Director Col. Ferdie Oydoc, reminded travelers to navigate the Cordillera roads with caution.
The Cordillera provinces have narrow, steep, and slippery roads, especially during rainy days, hence the need for precaution and preparedness when traveling to any part of the region.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has also urged travelers to drive defensively in the Cordillera region.
Especially if they are not from the Cordillera, they should watch out for the curves of our roads, descending and ascending and watch out for falling rocks, which are not unusual in the region,” DPWH-Cordillera Director Khadaffy Tanggol said. Philippine News Agency
