DAMULOG, Bukidnon — A senior citizen van driver died while five Benedictine nuns and a monk sustained injuries after their vehicle collided with a trailer truck on the national highway in Purok 3, Quarry, Barangay Sampagar, Damulog, Bukidnon, on Monday afternoon, August 11, 2025.
Police identified the fatality as Alfredo Lagrimas, 66, a resident of Sinayawan, Valencia City. He was driving a Nissan van carrying the nuns from Mater Ecclesiae and a monk from the Abbey of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, who were traveling to Cotabato City when the accident occurred around 3:00 p.m.
According to the initial investigation, the van was heading southbound when a northbound trailer truck, driven by a certain alias “Den-den”, 29, of Sarmento, Parang, Maguindanao, suddenly swerved into the opposite lane, resulting in a head-on collision.
The impact left Lagrimas with severe injuries. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.
The nuns and the monk were initially treated for their injuries and later brought to the Malaybalay Polymedic Center for further medical care. As of 6:00 a.m. on August 12, Abbot Savio Ma. Siccuan OSB confirmed that all six religious passengers are now out of danger but remain under observation.
The driver of the trailer truck is in the temporary custody of the Damulog Municipal Police Station pending proper legal disposition.
Authorities reminded motorists to strictly observe traffic regulations and maintain defensive driving, especially along national highways prone to high-speed accidents.