Army ‘owns up’ responsibility 

Over wayward truck accident 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol Jan 31 (PIA)—The Philippine Army assured they would take all necessary actions to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents, and extend assistance to the victims of the wayward military transport that plowed into a busy roadside diner (carinderia) in Katipunan Carmen, about lunchtime, January 29, 2020. 

According to a spot report issued by the Carmen Police Station through Police Major Jodel Torregosa, it was found out after initial investigation that a drab green KIA Truck troop carrier registered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and is based at the 47 Infantry Batallion in Carmen, driven by Private Jay dela Torre, lost its brakes while approaching a bend and smashed into a roadside restaurant. 

The wayward truck rammed into a group of students having lunch and at least one died in the incident. 

Carmen police identified the fatality as Roda Mae Niera, 18; resident of Buenavista Carmen and Grade 12 student of Katipunan National High School (KNHS). 

Also severely injured after the accident was Nelson Doroy, 18; resident of Montesuerte Carmen and Grade 12 student of the KNHS, Ria Mae Garcia, 18, resident of Pilar Bohol and Grade 11 student of KNHS, Jomel Sarmiento, 18, resident of Montesunting and Grade 11 student of KNHS sustained serious physical injuries and had to be rushed to Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran for proper medical care. 

Also sustaining minor injuries and were brought to Congressman Simeon Toribio Memorial Hospital were Mary Grace Buñao, 18 years old resident of Poblacion Norte Carmen and Grade 12 student of KNHS, Laiza Jamil, 18, resident of Nuevafuerza Carmen and Grade 12 student of KNHS, Jessa Baluca, 18 years old resident of Lapaz Carmen and Grade 12 student of KNHS as well as Sgt. Roniere Parpan, 33 years old and resident of Surigao del Norte. 

Over this, 47IB Batallion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Allan Tabudlo, in a statement said, “We would like to express our sincerest condolences to the family of the student who died because of what happened earlier.” 

“Aside from her, unintentional harm has been brought to five other students. We are aware that our apologies would never suffice to console the grieving hearts of the families,” the commanding officer added, detailing their apologies. 

The battalion which has been tasked to keep the internal security in Bohol even went on saying, “Justifying the accident would only add insult to the injury. Nonetheless, we from the 47IB, would like to say we are very sorry for the unfortunate circumstances the accident caused.” 

Carmen Police Station has accordingly charge the truck driver charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, multiple serious physical injuries and damage to property. 

Not shrugging off from the responsibility, the army commander said, “In this dire moment, we are taking necessary actions and taking all the responsibilities.” 

For the possible hospital bills and rehabilitation costs, the army hinted, “We are doing our best to extend assistance and support to those victims especially the expenses,” and went on saying “rest assured that we will do our best to prevent this incident in the future." (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

A KIA troop transporter much like this encountered brake failure as its driver was about to negotiate a bend and plowed into a roadside restaurant. The Army however owned up responsibility and vowed to support and help the victims in this accident. (PIABohol)