Father weeps over teen sons killed in Cardona truck crash

Vivencio Lambrinto could do nothing but grasp the body bags and shake them, as if trying to shake his two sons awake.

John Lester, 18, and Jimbert, 17, were on their way to school at around 5 a.m. on Tuesday in Cardona, Rizal when a cargo truck lost its brakes and plowed into a passenger jeepney, which was also hit by a dump truck. Nine people were killed, including the young brothers.

According to a report by Ivan Mayrina on 24 Oras, Mang Vivencio has five children but gave exceptional care to his third child John Lester, who was born with a heart condition.

He worked hard to pay off his son’s heart operation in 2017, and he was thankful when it was successful.

“Mahal na mahal ko ‘yung mga anak ko. Lalo na si John Lester, galing sa opera ng heart, sa puso. Pasalamat nga ko’t nakaligtas pa siya. Pangarap ko nga sa kanila ay magtapos lang kahit naghihirap kami,” he said.

Another of the victims was 16-year-old Jan Brian Madaya, a classmate of the Lambrinto brothers.

His mother Jovelyn said her son’s goodbye before leaving for school turned out to be his last.

“Napakabilis ng pangyayari. Nag-re-review pa ‘yun kagabi kasi sabi niya may exam,” she said.

His father Brian urged authorities to hold the company of the truck driver accountable.

“Kahit anong gawin mong galit hindi na rin maibabalik ‘yun, ang hiling lang namin mapanagutan ng kumpanya nung truck,” he said.

The families said no one from the side of the truck driver has reached out to them since the incident. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News