Young couple set to marry in December among fatalities in tragic Albay accident
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay - A young couple preparing for their December wedding were among the 11 fatalities in the tragic collision between a UV Express van and a truck on the national highway in Barangay Libod, Camalig town, this province, on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
The victims, Brian Ibo, 22, and Angeline Llanza, 22, both residents of Nabua town, Camarines Sur province, were on their way to Legazpi City to secure their Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) when the accident occurred.
The document was one of their requirements for their wedding next month.
Investigation said the truck reportedly lost its brakes and went out of control, crashing head-on into the UV Express van traveling from Nabua to here.
The impact was so strong that multiple passengers, including the couple, died at the scene.
Police Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, spokesperson of Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5), identified the other fatalities as Kris Niño Sareno, 33, the UV Express driver; Jocelyn Melitante, 59; Red Sajil, 11; and Sarah, 17, all residents of Nabua; Chanda Cedo, 28, and Chester Pojol, 44, both from Ligao City; Daisy Obena, 37, from Naga City; Joy Ann Abagat, 20, from Bula, Camarines Sur; and Lt. Col. Loreen C. Cabaliw of the Philippine Navy, a resident of San Roque, Iriga City.
Investigators are continuing to determine the exact cause of the crash as they examine the condition of the truck, its driver, and other contributing factors.
Local officials have condoled with the victims’ families, describing the incident as one of the most devastating road tragedies in the area in recent months.