BAYAWAN CITY, Negros Oriental — Tragedy struck in Sitio Urang, Barangay Kalamtukan, Bayawan City, on the morning of February 4, 2026, when a mini dump truck plunged into a ravine, killing all nine individuals on board. The victims were employees of the City Agriculture Office (DA) of Bayawan City.

Authorities identified the victims as Diomedes Canoy, Kervin Andog, Larry Llamos, Ronel Cabasag, Jonathan Hamor, Jovanie Babor, Junryl Caguisa, Castro Estemada, and the truck driver, Egmedio Arnaiz. All were male employees of the local government unit.

Eyewitnesses and photos from the scene revealed the extensive damage to the mini dump truck, highlighting the severity of the accident. The victims sustained fatal injuries and were immediately transported to Kalumboyan Hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival.

Local authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the crash. Early reports suggest that the steep terrain of the area may have contributed to the truck’s fall, but officials are also looking into vehicle condition and operational protocols.

This tragic event raises questions about workplace safety, especially for government employees working in field operations in challenging terrains. While accidents happen, ensuring proper safety measures and vehicle maintenance could prevent such catastrophic outcomes in the future. As the community mourns the loss of nine lives in a single incident, one pressing question emerges: Are government agencies doing enough to protect their employees in high-risk work environments? (Larawan mula sa: Bayawan City PNP)