Highway Tragedy in the Philippines: Eight Dead After Horrific Crash Involving Family Vans and Truck

San Mateo, Isabela, Philippines — A heartbreaking tragedy struck the northern Philippines early Saturday morning when a violent three-vehicle collision claimed the lives of eight people — all of them passengers in a family van — and left several others injured, including a young victim who remains unconscious in critical condition.

The crash occurred along the national highway in Barangay San Pedro-San Pablo when a six-wheeler truck carrying heavy industrial pipes reportedly crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into two Kalinga-bound vans.

Authorities say the truck, driven by 47-year-old October de Leon of Echague, Isabela, was headed toward Santiago City when it first struck a van driven by Ron Ron Onalam of Tabuk City, Kalinga. Seconds later, it collided head-on with a second van trailing behind, driven by 42-year-old Oseas Calderon — also of Tabuk City — who died instantly along with all seven of his passengers.

The victims, some of whom were traveling to reunite with loved ones, never made it home.

Among the confirmed fatalities were Claribel Maling, Niches Heizele Cagayongan, Jing Romboa, and the van’s driver, Oseas Calderon. Four other victims — believed to be residents of Kalinga as well — have yet to be identified due to the extent of their injuries.

Emergency responders were among the first to arrive at the mangled crash site, where twisted metal, shattered glass, and personal belongings lay strewn across the road. Despite their swift action, several passengers were already beyond saving, declared dead on arrival at nearby hospitals.

Two passengers from the first van were hospitalized with serious injuries, while another remains unconscious and under intensive medical care. The truck driver also sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a clinic in Cabatuan town.

As news of the accident spread, grief quickly gripped communities across Kalinga province — where most of the victims came from. Families gathered in stunned silence, their mourning echoed in homes and churches across the Cordillera region.

In a statement released through the Kalinga Provincial Information Office on July 19, the provincial government expressed its sorrow and solidarity with the grieving families:

The truck involved in the crash has been taken into police custody as investigators prepare charges against its driver. Authorities are also working to formally identify the remaining victims and notify their families.

For many, the pain is still sinking in. The journey that should have taken them home instead ended in tragedy.

“This isn’t just a highway accident,” said one official on-site. “This is the loss of mothers, fathers, sons, daughters — members of our community. The heartbreak is unspeakable.”

As the province enters a period of mourning, prayers continue for the victims, the survivors, and the families left behind.