By ZALDY COMANDA
TUBA, Benguet – Six people, including five garbage collectors, died while four others were injured in a collision of three trucks along Marcos Highway at Sitio Bontiway, Barangay Poblacion in Tuba, Benguet, at about 4 a.m. Monday.
Police Col. Elmer Ragay, Benguet Provincial Police Office director, said a garbage truck of Baguio City (SKR-634), driven by Mark Collantes, got out of control while traversing the downward part of the highway, hitting the rear portion of a dump truck (NFZ-7477) driven by Merson Aoay Manalastas.
Due to the impact, the dump truck bumped a trailer truck (RHK 439) which was traversing the opposite lane heading to Baguio City.
The garbage truck continued to move forward and crashed into a concrete barrier.
Ragay identified the six fatalities as Belly Joe Lachica, 29; Raymart dela Rama Lachica; John Rex Hilario; Rustom Lachica dela Rama; and Mark Alvin dela Rama Collantes, driver of the garbage truck, all employees of General Services in Baguio City; and Jonathan Frigillana Vargas, driver of the trailer truck, of Aringay, La Union.
The four injured victims were brought to Baguio Genetal Hospital and Medical Center. They were identified as Roneo dela Raga Collantes,21; Ernesto Lachica Collantes,27; Philip Lachica dela Rosa, 28; and Merson Manalastas,42, driver, of Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet.