DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Police authorities in Talaingod town in Davao del Norte have released the driver of the elf truck involved in an accident that killed six members of the Ata-Manobo tribe.
“We released the driver because the families of the victims are not interested in filing charges, but they agreed to settle the issue at the barangay level,” Traffic Investigator on the case, Police Corporal Jordan Semblante, told Newsline on Wednesday.
The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed by authorities, was detained for two days before being released.
On June 23, 25 members of the Ata-Manobo tribe were traveling from Sitio Makongko, Barangay Sto. Niño in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, en route to Mabini town, Davao de Oro, to enjoy the beach. The elf truck they were riding lost its brakes, causing it to fall into a ravine.
Five passengers were killed on the spot, including an eight-month-old child. On June 24, a four-year-old child died while in hospital confinement. Three passengers underwent surgical operations and are now recuperating at Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City.
Semblante noted that the area where the truck fell is known to be accident-prone.
