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3 dead, 1 hurt as truck rams checkpoint in Bukidnon

By Jigger Jerusalem

March 21, 2020, 3:59 pm

<p><strong>TRAGEDY AT COVID-19 CHECKPOINT.</strong> Cops cordon the scene where an alleged drunk driver rams his truck into a quarantine checkpoint on a highway in Maramag town, Bukidnon, killing three people. Two of the fatalities are barangay health workers tasked with checking passengers for Covid-19 symptoms.<em> (Photo courtesy of Maramag Police Station)</em></p>

TRAGEDY AT COVID-19 CHECKPOINT. Cops cordon the scene where an alleged drunk driver rams his truck into a quarantine checkpoint on a highway in Maramag town, Bukidnon, killing three people. Two of the fatalities are barangay health workers tasked with checking passengers for Covid-19 symptoms. (Photo courtesy of Maramag Police Station)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Three persons died when a hauler truck rammed into a quarantine checkpoint in a village in Maramag town, Bukidnon Friday night, police said Saturday.

The fatalities were Jomalyn Buhayon, Margie Maribao, and Aldren Gaitera, all of Barangay North Poblacion, Maramag.

Buhayon and Maribao are barangay health workers (BHWs) while Gaitera was a village councilor in North Poblacion.

Another victim, a certain Beth Lumanca, is in a critical condition, police said.

Police said Buhayon and Maribao were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician, Dr. Pericles Tamsi, at the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital. Gaitera died later at the La Viña Hospital in Valencia City.

Lt. Col. Casan Ali, chief of the Maramag police, said a 10-wheeler truck, used to haul harvested sugarcane, rammed into the quarantine checkpoint in Barangay Camp 1 at around 11:45 p.m.

The incident happened shortly before Bukidnon was put on enhanced community quarantine by Gov. Jose Maria Zubiri Jr.

Ali said the truck’s driver, Jemuel Ompoc, 24, of Barangay Kimanait, Pangantucan town, Bukidnon, tried to escape but was apprehended by police officers and village watchmen.

He said Ompoc appeared to be drunk when he was arrested by law enforcers.

The truck (MDX-119) was on its way to Don Carlos town, Bukidnon from the Crystal Sugar Milling Company in Maramag.

After slamming into the checkpoint, the truck continuously sped off and hit two motorcycles and a van parked about 150 meters from the crash site, police said.

Ompoc, who will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property,  is now in the custody of the Maramag police. (PNA)

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