6 Mt. Province HS students dead, 2 others hurt as van plunges into 250-foot ravine

The fatalities were identified by authorities as:  Dalog Kawi Mangallay, 19, driver from Bab-asig, Quirino, Ilocos Sur;  Lip-aw Aligan,15, also from Bab-asig; Rhema Sumingwa, 18, from Catengan, Besao; Merly Docyogen,17, also from Catengan; Hazel Solang,19, also from Bab-asig; and Lendel Kieth Alfonso ,19, also from Bab-asig.   Their two companions who were injured were identified as Lander Maticyeng,17, and Novelyn Sagantiyoc,18, both from Patiacan, Quirino, Ilocos Sur.

According to Besao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Engr. Mildred Piluden, the students came from a gathering in Barangay Laylaya, Besao, Mountain Province and were heading to the Besao town proper when the accident happened.

Police investigators have yet to release an official report on the cause of the accident.

Artemio A. Dumlao