DUMALINAO, Zamboanga del Sur – A wingvan carrying 500 sacks of rice intended as relief aid for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) overturned along Purok Talaba, Barangay Camanga, Dumalinao, late Wednesday afternoon, October 1, 2025.
The vehicle, with plate number NGP 9360, was en route from Zamboanga City to Cotabato City when it figured in the accident past 5:00 p.m. According to initial reports, the rice cargo was to be distributed as assistance to families in BARMM.
The wingvan was driven by Johnmel Bisana, accompanied by his truckman, Elmar Salas—both residents of Iloilo City. In an exclusive interview with RMN Pagadian, Salas revealed that their vehicle lost its brakes while descending a stretch of road, approximately two kilometers from where the incident occurred.
“The driver did everything to control the vehicle and steered it towards the side of the road to avoid hitting houses below,” Salas recounted. He added that he frantically signaled oncoming vehicles to clear the way, preventing what could have been a disastrous collision.
The wingvan eventually slammed into a tree, causing the cargo of rice sacks to scatter across the roadside. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
Salas expressed gratitude that both he and the driver survived unharmed, saying it felt like a “second life” for them despite the damage sustained by the vehicle.
Authorities confirmed that the rice is now being secured by the driver and his truckman to prevent losses, while follow-up measures are being coordinated for the retrieval and continuation of its delivery to BARMM.