ZAMBOANGA CITY — Four people died and 12 others were saved after the rescue vehicle of the local government unit (LGU) of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, they were riding, fell into the Dapitan River spillway in  La Libertad town, Zamboanga del Norte province on Monday.

Dumingag Mayor Gerry T. Paglinawan revealed yesterday that the victims were returning  to Dumingag town on board the  rescue vehicle of LGU Dumingag when the  driver lost control of the vehicle and  fell into the Dapitan River in  Barangay El Paraiso while crossing the spillway.

Paglinawan said as a result of the incident, four of its passengers died from the incident including Nicanor Alforo Jr., 50, the village chief of  Senote in Dumingag town.

The three others who died in the incident were identified as Michelle Alforo, 25; Nathan Alforo,  12; and Roxan Calibugan, 50 years old, all residents of the town.

Two of them were dead on arrival at the Piñan District Hospital, while the other two were already dead when recovered by rescuers.

Residents living near the river immediately ran to rescue the victims and brought them to the hospital for medical attention.

They were identified as Bernafe Mandao Sabanal, 30; Marion Trigo Nanong, 41; Anabelle Alfuro, 46; Ivy Galay Manyacap, 18; Juli Mark Mandao Sabanal, 15; Robelyn Suco Alfuro, 29; Richard Mandao Galay, 36; Bernadette Mandao Laranio, 37; Uzil Jean Plando, 9; Kenneth Alfuro Bajao, 5; Sam Laranio Alfuro, 18;  and Conchita Cagumbay Alfuro, 58.

According to the report, Alforo’s group came from a gathering in Calamba town in  Misamis Occidental and were returning home when the incident happened.

 The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Dumingag is reminding drivers of vehicles  to be careful while driving and to check the condition of the vehicle before driving it on the road, especially on bridges or spillways during the rainy season.