Seven people died while six others were injured after a 10-wheeler truck plowed through several vehicles and a house in Makilala, Cotabato morning on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

According to the Makilala Incident Management Team, the helper of the truck driver said the driver lost control of the vehicle when the brakes allegedly malfunctioned while they were traveling downhill.

The truck was carrying 450 bags of fertilizer, which scattered on the road after the crash.

“Pagdating niya diyan sa tinatawag namin na Sitio Flortam sa Barangay Batasan, along the highway, doon na nagsimula na nag-apply sila ng brake… kinausap ko man ‘yung pahinante, wala na, hindi na kumagat ang brake nila. So, medyo malakas na talaga ang takbo dahil pababa ‘yan,” Incident Management Team Commander, Renato Corre said.

The truck rammed into a multicab, a motorcycle, and eight other vehicles, and crashed into a house by the highway.

The truck driver, Leopoldo Ibañez, and the couple on board the motorcycle identified as Joel and Christina Pamplona and their five-year-old son, Jeremiah, died.

The three other fatalities were identified as Jeralyn Bangcot, 41; Benjamin Ganub, 54; and Carlo De Jucos, 34.

Meanwhile, five of the six individuals injured are recuperating in the hospital, as of this writing.