13 killed in vehicular accident in North Cotabato

CARMEN, Philippines -- (UPDATE 3) Thirteen people were killed and several more injured Tuesday morning when a passenger jeepney when a passenger jeepney, packed with well-wishers for pilgrims returning from the Hajj, collided with a 10-wheeler truck in Carmen, North Cotabato, police said.

Inspector Reynante Gabico, Carmen police chief, said the jeepney, which was heading for Parang, Maguindanao, overtook a hauler truck while negotiating a sharp curve in Barangay General Luna around 10 a.m.

The jeepney driver apparently lost control of his vehicle, which slammed into the oncoming 10-wheeler truck.

Senior Superintendent Lester Camba, the provincial police director, identified some of the fatalities as driver Allan Baluno, Mokamad Saidula, Lugaya Matalam, and Kutog Amil Sapal.

Mary Arvado, Carmen social welfare chief, identified some of the victims as Bai Naot Butuan, Dima Saidula, Mokamad Saidula, Lugaya Matalam, Obayda Balabagan, Mustapha Asim and Tong Ombadel.

She said two of the dead were children aged two to eight who remain unidentified as of this posting. "There were 13 dead lying here by the roadside, including the [bus] driver," Gabico said on local radio. Gabico said they had difficulty retrieving the body of Baluno, because he was pinned to the driver's seat.

He said injured passengers, some in critical condition, were rushed to various hospitals.
The truck driver was unhurt and later surrendered to the police.