Missing truck driver in Isabela bridge collapse surrenders to police

Metro Manila, Philippines – The missing driver of the dump truck that caused the collapse of the Sta. Maria-Cabagan bridge has surrendered to authorities, the local government said on Friday.

“Based on his statement na sinabi sa police ay napanguhahan daw ito ng takot kaya nagawang umalis doon sa scene,” Cabagan disaster management official Aljur Rey Bernacer told NewsWatch Plus.

[Translation: Based on his statement that was given to the police, they said that he was overcome with fear and fled the scene.]Bernacer said the driver turned himself in to the police at 7:30 a.m. He said authorities are verifying the other missing truck passenger. Cabagan municipal authorities reported that six people, including two children, were injured in the bridge collapse on Thursday evening, Feb. 27. According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office report, the dump truck, two sport utility vehicles, and one motorcycle were damaged.In a statement, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the bridge collapsed from the 102-ton load. The truck driver was among the missing.DPWH Region 2 said the 990-meter bridge construction began in November 2014 and was just completed on Feb. 1, 2025. The cost was P1.225 billion.The agency said it tapped the Bureau of Design and Bureau of Construction at the central office “to conduct further evaluation and assessment.”On the other hand, the Cagayan provincial information office has a different recount.

“Matatandaang ilang taon na mula nang matapos ang konstruksyon ng nasabing tulay subali’t hindi ito ipinapagamit dahil sa di umano’y maling disensyo kaya kailangan itong i-retrofit,” the PIO said.

[Translation: It can be recalled that the construction was completed for quite some time, but remained closed because of the alleged wrong design; that’s why it needed retrofitting.]Former government officials questioned the project.Senatorial candidate Heidi Mendoza, and former commissioner of the Commission on Audit, questioned the bridge funding and flagged the contractors, inspectors, and authorities involved in the construction. Former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno called out poorly-built infrastructure.

“Naiimagine niyo ba kung may matinding lindol o sakuna na mangyari? Ano ang mangyayari sa mga substandard government projects? Funded ‘yan ng tax natin na patuloy na ibinubulsa,” Magno said.