Four people, including a village chief, were killed while 12 others were injured after a rescue vehicle they were riding plunged into a spillway at the Dapitan River in Barangay El Paraiso, La Libertad, Zamboanga del Norte evening on Monday, June 23, 2025.

Based on investigation, the vehicle was carrying 16 passengers, all members of a church organization. The vehicle is owned by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.

According to some residents, the group was looking for a shortcut back home after a fellowship activity in Calamba, Misamis Occidental, which was why they attempted to cross the spillway.

“Kato nga time pauli na to sila. Nangutana sila asang shortcut so gitudluan sila didto padulong sa Mutia.  Makasubo lang naabtan na sila sa baha. Baha tong nakaapas nila,” a resident, Henz Aronda Manta, said.

The Police Regional Office-Zamboanga (PRO-9) said the water level at that time was already high due to continuous rains, which caused the vehicle to fall and got carried away.

“Nung dumating sila sa spillway doon sa Libertad, medyo mataas na yung tubig. Pero siguro, akala ng driver, kaya lang. Nag-gamble siya na dumaan and according sa report na natanggap natin habang dumadaan siya sa spillway, dahil sa lakas ng current, nahulog yung isang gulong niya sa spillway hanggang sa nahulog na nga ang buong sasakyan, naanod sila,” PRO-9 Spokesperson, Major Shellamie Chang, said.

Authorities launched a rescue operation immediately. A payloader was used to retrieve the vehicle from the river.

Four of the 16 passengers died, including a village chief in Dumingag town and his 11-year-old son. The 12 other passengers who were injured were brought to the hospital.

All survivors and the remains of the deceased have since been brought back to their hometown.

The driver of the vehicle was taken into police custody.

Dumingag MDRRMO clarified that the victims were authorized to use the vehicle for the trip.

“Si kapitan maoy miduol diri nga mohangyo nga mogamit sila atong rescue vehicle kay motambong ug two days nga fellowship didto sa Calamba. Naa’y pagtugot to. Naa sila’y request letter, legal ang pagbiyahe ato,” Dumingag MDRRMO Chief of Operations, Francisco Batoon Jr., said.