Seven Killed as Truck Overturns in Silay Tree Planting

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Seven job order casual workers were killed and 17 others injured after a mini-dump truck overturned Friday morning in Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City, Negros Occidental.

Police identified the fatalities as Rafael Jardiolin Jr., 57, of Barangay 5; Alexander Balili, 62, of Barangay 4; Eldie Naguita, 65, of Barangay E. Lopez; Leonillo Jerson, 38, also of Barangay E. Lopez; and Azucena Dimson, 52, of Barangay Guinhalaran.

Dimson was initially misidentified by authorities as Sheena.

Silay police chief, Police Lt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca, said two more victims—Marlon Amarado, 36, of Barangay Mambulac, and Jayme Bangis, 60, of Barangay Guinhalaran—died hours later at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod.

The 53-year-old driver was among 13 others who sustained minor injuries and is now under hospital arrest.

Darroca said 24 passengers were onboard the mini-dump truck, returning from a city-organized tree-planting activity at Sitio Lantawan when the brakes allegedly malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to overturn on a downhill slope.

Some of the victims were thrown from the vehicle, while others were pinned underneath it, police said.

All the passengers were government workers assigned to different departments and had participated in the annual environmental initiative.

Five other victims sustained serious injuries and are recovering in the hospital.

Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego assured the public of a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the root cause of the accident and ensure accountability.

Gallego expressed condolences to the bereaved families and called the tragedy a moment of collective mourning for the Silay community.

“I respectfully call upon everyone to offer prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of those who perished, and for the full and speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries,” he said in a statement.

The city government is coordinating with the Philippine National Police, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Health Office, and other agencies to provide support, medical care, and financial assistance to the victims and their families.

Gallego noted that the victims had just concluded a tree-planting activity—a reflection of their commitment to environmental preservation and public service.

“In this time of sorrow, let us remain united as one Silaynon community, bound by compassion, empathy, and mutual support,” he said.