Four were killed  in a passenger van collision in Davao City

DAVAO CITY – Four individuals lost their lives, and several others were injured following a collision between two passenger vans on the national highway in Barangay Binugao, Toril District, Davao City, around 8:00 a.m. on January 4, 2025.

Authorities have identified the deceased as Remie Centina and his wife Edna Centina, Sherlyn Altimo, and Mary Joy Abuda Lastimoso, all residents of Awang, Maguindanao. Mary Joy Abuda Lastimoso, the wife of one of the drivers involved in the incident, was among the casualties.

The van driver by Omar Lastimoso, Mary Joy’s husband, was heading home to Awang Maguindanao from a family outing in Island Garden City of Samal. In contrast, the other driver, Kadaffy Landasan Salik, in his 40’s, who was en route to Davao City, also emerged unscathed.

The passengers of Salik were also unscathed, while those who died and those injured were from the vehicle driven by Lastimoso.

Initial reports indicate that one of the vans, which was heading from Digos City toward Davao City, veered off its lane and collided with an oncoming van traveling in the opposite direction.

Both vans were reportedly fully occupied at the time of the crash.

Salik said he may have been distracted while conversing with a passenger in the front seat and showing something on a mobile phone moments before the collision.

Two passengers remain under close observation at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), while others with injuries are also being treated at the facility.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Officials remind drivers to exercise caution and avoid distractions, particularly on high-traffic routes like the Davao-Digos road.

The driver underwent a field sobriety test, but he passed.

The DUI Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) Field Sobriety tests are used by the police when they pull someone over and suspect that person was driving while intoxicated (DUI). These tests can be used to determine if the individual in question was intoxicated enough to be legally charged with anything.