A member of the Barangay Public Safety Office (BPSO) was killed while more than 10 others were injured after their rescue vehicle figured in a tragic accident along the Kulaaman Bridge in Barangay Maluko, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on Friday afternoon, May 8, 2026.
Initial investigation by the Manolo Fortich Municipal Police Station revealed that the group of BPSO personnel from Barangay 7 in Malaybalay City had just completed a three-day water rescue training in Talisayan and were on their way home when the accident occurred at around 1:20 p.m. along the Sayre Highway in Purok 1, Barangay Maluko.
According to PLTCol Rogie C. Ortencio, chief of the Manolo Fortich Municipal Police Station, the Mazda Titan double cab rescue vehicle reportedly suffered brake failure, causing the driver to lose control of the truck.
The vehicle, locally known as a “bongo,” allegedly swerved into the opposite lane before crashing into a parked Honda XRM motorcycle and a bamboo fruit stand situated along the roadside near Kulaaman Bridge.
Authorities identified the fatality as George Jumamil, 53, a resident of Malaybalay City. He was declared dead on arrival by attending physician Dr. Stephanie Lachica.
The vehicle was being driven by Febtuban Sawalan Morales, who was transporting more than 10 fellow BPSO members at the time of the incident.
Despite the violent impact, police confirmed that no civilians from the fruit stand or the area where the motorcycle was parked sustained injuries.
The injured victims were immediately brought to nearby medical facilities for treatment, although authorities have yet to release the identities and condition of the other passengers involved in the crash.
The incident has raised concerns over the roadworthiness and maintenance of emergency and rescue vehicles being used by local government units and barangay response teams, especially those deployed for disaster response and public safety operations.
Police said a thorough investigation is still ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident and to verify all circumstances surrounding the reported brake malfunction.