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BACOLOD CITY — Seven city government employees of Silay in Negros Occidental died and 17 others were injured in a tragic road accident in Sitio San Juan, Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City on Friday.
A report from the Silay City Police said the employees were on board a mini dump truck that tipped and landed on its right side after the driver lost control of the vehicle at about 9:30 a.m.
Seven employees of Silay City government in Negros Occidental died when a mini dump truck they were riding figured in a freak road accident in Sitio San Juan, Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City, on June 27, 2025. PDRMMO PHOTO
Seven employees of Silay City government in Negros Occidental died when a mini dump truck they were riding figured in a freak road accident in Sitio San Juan, Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City, on June 27, 2025. PDRMMO PHOTO
Seven employees of Silay City government in Negros Occidental died when a mini dump truck they were riding figured in a freak road accident in Sitio San Juan, Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City, on June 27, 2025. PDRMMO PHOTO
The police identified the casualties as Alexander Balili, 62 years old; Rafael Jardiolin Jr., 57; Eldie Naguita, 65; Azucena Dimson, 52; Leonillo Jerson, 38; Marlon Amarado, 36; and Jayme Bangis, 60.
The police said Amarado and Bangis survived the accident but succumbed at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City where they were brought.
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The dump truck is registered under the Silay City government.
Personnel from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) immediately responded to the accident, providing first aid and transporting the victims to Teresita López Jalandoni Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.
The police said the dump truck may have been overloaded and lost its balance while negotiating a bend on the road.
The driver, 53-year-old Hernane Masa, told the police that the brakes of the truck faltered, causing the vehicle to overbalance and fall on its side.
However, the police said they will tap an expert to examine the breaking system of the truck to verify the driver’s statement.
Silay City police chief Lt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca said Masa was admitted at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City and is in stable condition.
Darroca said Masa has been a driver for a long time.
Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, in a statement, said that the city government will help the victims and provide financial assistance for their families.
The mayor assured residents of "a thorough and impartial investigation to the accident to ascertain the root cause of this tragic event and ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future."
In a separate statement, 3rd District Rep. Javi Benitez said his office “is committed to extend help to the victims and their surviving families in all possible opportunities.”
"With deep respect to the noble intentions of the victims' visit to the area, we nonetheless express support for the city government of Silay in pursuing a thorough and impartial investigation to identify the root cause of the fatal incident," he said.
"We offer our sincerest condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of the victims as we fervently pray that no similar accident shall happen again to anyone in the future. This is a time to stand by each other's side and allow solidarity to condole with our grieving hearts.”
