GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A husband and wife were killed while their nephew remains in critical condition following a collision between a dump truck and a tricycle along Diversion Road in Barangay Mabuhay, General Santos City, shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2026.
The fatalities were identified by the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU)–Gensan as Junie Gubalani, 51, a tricycle driver and fisherman, and his wife Jenefer Gubalani, 52, a public school teacher. The couple were residents of Purok Promise Land, Barangay Mabuhay.
Their nephew, identified only as “Sunny,” 38, married and an organizer, a resident of Purok 11-C, Barangay Fatima, is currently confined in critical condition at a local hospital.
The driver of the dump truck, identified as “John,” 50, married, a resident of Litanville, Barangay Apopong, is now in the custody of the TEU-Gensan for investigation.
Tricycle Lost Control on Curve
Initial investigation revealed that both vehicles were traveling along the same road, with the dump truck heading toward the central area of Barangay Mabuhay, while the tricycle was bound for Barangay Apopong. Upon reaching a curved portion of the road, the tricycle allegedly lost control, causing it to collide with the oncoming dump truck.
All three occupants of the tricycle sustained severe injuries and were immediately rushed to the hospital. However, despite medical intervention, Junie and Jenefer Gubalani were declared dead by attending physicians a few hours later.
Their nephew continues to receive treatment and is under close medical monitoring.
Case Pending Family’s Decision
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident and possible liabilities. The police are also awaiting the decision of the victims’ family on whether they will file charges against the dump truck driver.
The tragic incident has once again raised concerns over road safety, particularly along high-risk curved sections of the Diversion Road, which has been the site of several accidents in the past.