ILOILO CITY – A water tanker killed two persons and injured 16 others on Sunday night, June 11, in La Paz, Iloilo City.
The La Paz Police Station identified the victims as 18-year-old Oliver dela Cruz and a 16-year-old girl.
The La Paz Police Station said the truck driven by 61-year-old Danilo Dayon earlier slammed into a pharmacy and a “lechon” (roasted pig) kiosk in the boundary of Barangays Baldoza and Caingin.
A retrieval operation that involved a firetruck and other personnel was conducted.
At past 6 p.m., the water tanker moved while it was being towed by a firetruck and hit people walking and a parked tricycle.
Many of the injured are already out of the hospital. Among those injured were reporter Charrie Galia Sumagpao of Bombo Radyo Iloilo.
Dayon is currently under hospital arrest. He is employed by the Iloilo City government under the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (Iloilo CDRRMO).
Mayor Jerry Trenas here pledged assistance to the victims.
"I condole with those who passed away due to the accident yesterday during the rescue of the water tanker. The city will look for ways to assist their families together with those who were hospitalized,” said Treñas.
“I apologize on behalf of the city (government). Certain standard operating procedures must be established to avoid these incidents. I continue to support the CDRRMO and all their efforts to improve their services,” added Treñas in a statement on Monday, June 12.