Tragic Accident Claims Nine Bayawan City Government Employees in Negros Oriental
A devastating incident in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, has left nine employees of the local government dead after the dump truck they were riding in fell off a cliff. The tragic event occurred on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at approximately 12:35 p.m., in Sitio Mansintak, Barangay Kalamtukan, Bayawan City.
Victims Identified in the Fatal Crash
The victims have been identified as Diomedes Canoy, Kervin Andog, Larry Llamos, Ronel Cabasag, Jonathan Hamor, Jovanie Babor, Jonaryl Caguisa, Castro Estemada, and Egmedio Arnaiz, who served as the driver of the dump truck. All were employees of the Bayawan City Government, and their sudden loss has sent shockwaves through the community.
Investigation Reveals Brake Failure as Likely Cause
According to an ongoing investigation by the Bayawan City Police Station, the dump truck overshot the road while descending a slope, leading to its plunge off the cliff and into a nearby creek. Police Captain Stephen Jaynard Polinar, the information officer of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, provided further details, stating that the victims had been transporting five containers of fuel to Barangay Mandu-ao earlier in the day.
On their return journey, while navigating the descent, the brakes reportedly failed, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. This critical malfunction resulted in the truck overshooting the road and falling down the cliff, a sequence of events that highlights potential safety concerns in the area.
Immediate Response and Fatal Outcome
Following the accident, the passengers suffered severe injuries and were rushed to Kalumboyan Hospital for emergency medical attention. Despite the swift response, doctors at the hospital declared all nine victims dead on arrival, underscoring the severity of the crash and the limited chances of survival.
The Bayawan police continue their thorough investigation into the incident, aiming to determine the exact circumstances and any contributing factors. This tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by government workers in the line of duty and the importance of vehicle maintenance and road safety measures.
