A dump truck ran over and killed a woman who was attending a funeral procession in Zone 1, Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan, around 12:30 noon on May 29, 2025.
Authorities identified the victim as Maria Cecelia Martinez, 49 years old, a resident of Sitio Cabangahan, Brgy. Hilamonan, Kabankalan.
They also identified the dump truck driver as Gene Berondo, 58 years old, a resident of Sitio Overflow, Brgy. Hilamonan.
According to Brigada News FM Kabankalan’s investigation, the motorcycle carrying Martinez and the dump truck were both heading in the same direction toward the city proper. Martinez rode on the back of the motorcycle driven by her husband.
Marlon Pobresa, one of the funeral marshals who witnessed the incident, said the truck tried to get ahead of the convoy but sideswiped the motorcycle, causing it to lose balance and crash.
The impact threw Martinez and her husband off the motorcycle. The dump truck failed to stop in time, and its rear tire ran over Martinez, dragging her for several meters and causing fatal head injuries.
Pobresa added that the dump truck was speeding, allegedly trying to get ahead of the funeral convoy, including the motorcycle carrying the victim.
Police from the Kabankalan Component City Police Station have taken the driver into custody for proper legal action.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.