DAVAO CITY (June 3) — Twelve workers of Franklin Baker in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, were killed while four others were wounded,  when the company’s service vehicle collided with a ten-wheeler truck along Barangay Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, midday,  Sunday, June 3, 2018.
Police Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz, spokesperson of Police Regional Office XI revealed, initial investigation showed that the workers were on their way to work in Darong Plant from Coronon, onboard the company’s utility van when the incident happened at around 12:30 in the afternoon.
Franklin baker operates a coconut oil milling plant at Coronon, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Witnesses said the company van with licensed plate ACV-3970 was carrying sixteen passengers when the incident happened.
Sta. Cruz police report showed, the company’s service van was overspeeding  and upon reaching the village of Lantawan, Barangay Astorga, Sta, Cruz, the vehicle overshoot in a curve and collided with the ten-wheeler truck driven by Teodoro Batiocan.
Due to the impact, the roof of the company van was blown away and the workers thrown out while other were recovered under the ten-wheeler truck.
Twelve workers died on the spot while four others, including the company driver were brought to Digos Provincial Hospital.
Sta. Cruz Municipal Mayor Alexis Almendras said the company will help all the needs of the employees.
Almendras said the incident was the first to happen in the newly widened national highway.
The fatalities were identified as:
Jonathan Dadong 2. Niña Mae Itchon 3. Jayson Tusan 4. Recmar Bautista 5. Maria Fe Regino 6. Roy Itchon 7. Joel Cedeño 8. Durson Adlog 9. Rannie Cabal 10. Alfredo Beringuel 11. Vicente Sanico 12. Unidentified male person
Those confined in the hospital include:
Efren Presores – company driver; 2. Abenjie Lumanta 3. Ariel Caña 4. Aixa Puna 5. Ron Gie Rada .
The fatalities are mostly residents of barangay Langan and Malusing,    Coronon Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur.-Rey Nuñez/NewsLine.ph
