1 dead after vehicle delivering poll materials overshoots in Cagayan de Oro

A trucking personnel died while another was injured after their vehicle fell off a cliff, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Wednesday.

Poll chief George Erwin Garcia said the incident occurred on May 6 after the truck completed the delivery of the automated counting machines (ACMs) and other election paraphernalia in three municipalities in Bukidnon and was en route to return to the Comelec hub in Cagayan de Oro.

“Nakikiramay po tayo sa pamilya ng pahinante na sinawing palad. Ito ay nakapaghatid na sa tatlong areas sa Bukidnon ng election paraphernalia kasama ang ACMs sapagkat ngayong araw na 'to, magko-conduct sila sa bayan ng final testing and sealing. Unfortunately, nung pabalik na sa Cayagan de Oro, nag-overshoot sa isang bangin. May isa pang nasaktan na pahinante,” Garcia told Kapihan sa Manila Bay.

(We express our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family of the trucking personnel. The incident happened after they delivered the election paraphernalia, including the ACMs, in three areas in Bukidnon. Unfortunately, the truck overshot off a cliff while en route to Cagayan de Oro, where our hub was located. Another personnel was also hurt.)

Garcia said they are set to meet with representatives of F2 Logistics to discuss the incident. He also said the Comelec en banc will decide on the possible assistance for the bereaved family.

“Panawagan natin sa provider namin na siyang direct employer, 'wag natin kakalimutan sila sapagkat ang ginawa nilang kabayanihan ay para sa bayan. Maaaring sila ay pahinante pero ang binuhat nila ay balota at machines na simbolo ng demokrasya ng bansa,” the poll chief added.

(We urge the provider, which is their direct employer, to not take for granted the sacrifices of their personnel because what they delivered were ballots and machines that symbolize our country's democracy.)

According to Garcia, the Comelec has yet to encounter other issues with the delivery and installation of all election-related paraphernalia.

“So far, sa buong bansa simula nang nag-distribute tayo ng mga makina, wala pa tayong nagiging problema pa. Kahit ang FTS, maaaring nare-reset pero wala pa so far na nanakaw na makina,” he addded.

(Since we started the distribution of machines, we have yet to encounter issues with the delivery. Even with the FTS, there may be a resetting of schedule but no machine has been stolen so far.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.