A teacher was killed while 13 others were injured after their van fell and crashed in a canal at Star Tollway in Ibaan, Batangas.
The injured included a driver, 5 students, and 7 teachers from the National Schools Press Conference in Tuguegarao, Cagayan. Their colleague Joy Maming died.
According to a police investigation, the team was about to return home to Occidental Mindoro when the vehicle crashed.
The injured are currently being treated at a hospital in Batangas City.
According to survivor Adelardo Malalauan, they have decided to return home immediately before the program is completed due to fear of being stuck due to the community quarantine.
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Teacher dead, 13 wounded in van accident
“We decided na umuwi na kahapon kasi nga dahil nga balita namin na naglalockdown na ang Manila at Batangas,” said Malalauan.
(We decided to go home yesterday because it was in the news that Manila and Batangas will be on lockdown.)
According to the driver of the van Mark Herwhin Tugade, he had just replaced the other driver but was unable to cope with the length of the trip, so he fell asleep.
“Hindi na kinaya antok. Maaga lang kami baka maglockdown hindi kami makauwi ng Mindoro,” said Tugade.
(I was not able to fight my sleepiness. We went home early because we might not be able to go home to Mindoro due to the lockdown.)
Tugade is now facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple injuries.