Fifteen hikers sustained minor injuries after an overloaded jeepney figured in an accident in Barangay Tigmalapad, Miagao, Iloilo, on Sunday morning, April 12.
According to Police Major Richard Lao, chief of the Miagao Municipal Police Station, the vehicle was travelling from Iloilo City when it suddenly overheated, causing the engine to stall.
The mechanical failure caused the jeepney to roll backward, eventually crashing into a steel barrier before plunging into a nearby canal.
Investigations revealed that the jeepney was overloaded, carrying 36 passengers despite having a capacity of only 20.
Most of the passengers were hikers en route to a trekking destination in the municipality.
Despite the severity of the incident, no fatalities were reported, and all injured passengers sustained only minor wounds.
The driver is currently under police custody and has been issued a citation for overloading.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reminded motorists to comply with safety regulations to prevent similar incidents.IMT
