Four persons were killed as a 6-wheeler truck lost control and rammed into a highway boulder Monday evening at Brgy. Puerto Princesa, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

Barotac Viejo police identified the fatalities as Franklin Jamillarin, 18, of Brgy. Bangac, Mina, Iloilo; Jose Peñaflorida, Raul dela Cruz, Sr., 45, of Brgy. Bugnay, Barotac Viejo; and Richard Consumo, Jr., 28, of Mina town.

Wounded were Delmar Allanza, 19; Jonel dela Cruz, 19; Frankee Jamillarin, 16; Tito Basios; Joey Casipi, 16; Jonel Casipe; and truck driver Rolando Doquila, 45. All are residents of Mina town.

The victims were initially brought to Ramon Tugbang District Hospital and Barotac Viejo District Hospital.

Some of the victims were later transferred to West Visayas State University Medical Center and Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City while others were treated at Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan town.

Owned by former Mayor Rey Grabato of Mina, Iloilo, the truck (FDL904) was carrying the victims and 310 sacks of palay and came from Lemery town and was on its way to Mina when the incident happened.

According to Doquila, the vehicle’s brake had malfunctioned while they were traversing the downhill portion of the highway.

To prevent the vehicle from colliding into another vehicle or person, the driver decided to ram it into the boulder.

However, not only did the truck stop, it also turned turtle and the sacks of palay fell over the victims.*