BY: ANGELICA ARQUERO
What began as a simple trip to buy pigs turned tragic after a jeep fell into a 32-foot ravine in Barangay Ginaaang, Conner, Apayao, on the morning of May 26.
According to initial police reports, the jeep lost its brakes while descending a steep section of the road.
“Our initial investigation showed the jeep lost its brakes. It had five passengers and 18 live pigs when it crashed,” said PCPT Jakielou P. Tongnawa, public information officer of the Apayao Provincial Police Office.
The victims, residents of Solana, Cagayan, had traveled to the area to purchase pigs.
Two male passengers, aged 30 and 40, were killed in the incident.
The driver, known only as “Ricky,” 40, and two other passengers, aged 29 and 41, sustained injuries.
“They were on their way back when the jeep lost control on a sharp curve and steep section of the road. It fell about 10 meters deep,” Tongnawa added.
He confirmed that the victims were quickly rescued by nearby residents who witnessed the accident.
Authorities say the site is known to be accident-prone due to its downhill slope and sharp curve.
“We’ve coordinated with the DPWH, local government, and barangay officials to install barriers in the area to prevent similar accidents in the future,” Tongnawa said.
The bodies of the deceased have been brought home to Cagayan, while the injured remain in the hospital.
This is the fourth road accident reported in the municipality this year.
