By Mar Serrano | Philippine News Agency
LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 5 (Bicol) said Monday (Oct. 11) it will investigate the death of three high school students who were hit by a wayward truck while holding online classes on Sunday afternoon in Placer town, Masbate province.
Mark Kevin Arroco, development project officer of the DepEd public affairs office, in an interview said their office has yet to receive a report from their provincial superintendent.
However, he said an investigation of the tragic incident would be conducted as a standard procedure, particularly on why the victims were holding online classes on a Sunday.
In a separate interview, M/Sgt. Romulo Tambago, the police investigator in charge, said the three female victims whose ages range from 10 to 16, were students of the Matagangtang National High School.
He said Jomar Tanael, 30, driver of the 10-wheeler truck, was negotiating a road in Purok 9, Barangay Matagangtang at around 3:45 p.m. when he lost control of the steering wheel, which caused the truck to hit the porch of a residence where the victims were reportedly holding online classes.
A police report said the three students died on the spot.
The 10-wheeler truck which is owned by an engineer from Masbate City, was used to haul sand and gravel aggregates. It was on its way to Cataingan town from Milagros, both in Masbate province, when the accident occurred.
The truck driver was placed under police custody, facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide. (PNA) – bny
