Road Mishap in Cotabato Ends in Four Fatalities
COTABATO – What was supposed to be a simple trip ended in disaster as a vehicle overturned along a busy highway in Cotabato.
Four people, including three women and a young child, lost their lives in a tragic road accident that occurred along a highway in Barangay San Mateo, Aleosan town in Cotabato province on Saturday, April 4.
The victims were identified as Angela Kamensa, 21, Lukaya Adil, 43, Sambabay Andatuan, 50, and a three-year-old boy named Arshahid Adzal. All four were declared dead on arrival by attending physicians after emergency responders rushed them to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
According to reports from barangay officials and personnel of the Aleosan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, at least 29 others were injured in the incident. All of the passengers were identified as Moro Maguindanaons who had been traveling together at the time of the accident.
Initial findings from local authorities revealed that the group came from Malidegao, a Bangsamoro town in the Special Geographic Area of the province. They were reportedly on their way to Cotabato City when the tragic mishap occurred.
Investigators from the Aleosan Municipal Police Station disclosed that a total of 33 individuals were riding in the cargo section of a white Isuzu Elf truck with license plate GEK 349. While traversing a stretch of the highway in Barangay San Mateo, the vehicle allegedly veered into the opposite lane. The incident happened when the driver, identified as 55-year-old Tatuan Bolingkig Andatuan, attempted to overtake a motorcycle ahead.
In the process, the truck reportedly struck the side of an oncoming blue pickup-type multicab driven by Diosdado Iligan Siano, 57, bearing license plate KAE 9974. The impact caused the truck to flip and roll over before landing on its side along the concrete road.
Due to the force of the accident, all passengers were thrown off the vehicle, resulting in multiple serious injuries. Emergency responders confirmed that the fatalities suffered fractures and severe head trauma, which led to their immediate deaths.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident as the injured victims receive treatment in nearby medical facilities.
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