5 killed as wayward truck rams motorcycles in Cotabato highway

Five people were killed while three were wounded after a truck hit four motorcycles in Makilala, Cotabato province early Saturday.

A News TV live report said a soft drinks delivery truck lost its brakes and slammed four motorcycles along the highway in Barangay Malasila at around 5:20 a.m.

The local police identified the fatalities as Private First Class Bryan Ecarma, member of the Philippine Army's 66th Infantry Battalion, driver of a Suzuki Raider 150; Alejandro Tapdasan Alihoman and his wife Evangeline Asari Alimohan, riders of a Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle; and Rics Agpalo Cariño and live-in partner Anjierose Asari Alimohan, riders of a Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle.

In an earlier report, a woman waiting for a bus ride to Davao City was also hit and killed in the accident. The local police, however,  has yet to confirm the report.

The truck driver and his rider were also injured.

Charges are being prepared against the driver. —with a report from Malu Cadelina Manar/Marlly Rome C. Bondoc/ALG, GMA News