Freak accident causes power outage in Marikina, Rizal

A brownout hit areas near the boundary of Marikina City and San Mateo, Rizal before dawn Monday, as a mechanical failure caused a garbage truck's rear bed to snag down six electric posts. Radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen said the dump truck's open-box bed at the rear accidentally rose, hitting the power lines. "Mga anim na poste ang nadamay diyan (The dump truck caused at least six posts to collapse)," said Edwin Benitez, a member of a rescue team that rushed to the site. Benitez cited witnesses who said the truck's rear bed suddenly rose while it was passing through the area, and hit the power lines. No one was reported injured in the incident. The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said it may take five to six hours before the damaged electric facilities can be repaired. "Bigyan natin ng mga five to six hours (Please give our crews five to six hours to restore power)," Meralco spokeswoman Tina Feliciano said in an interview on dzBB radio. The incident, involving the blue dump truck (with plate number TGT 974), reportedly occurred along General Luna Road in Sta. Ana village in San Mateo town. "Aksidenteng umangat ang tambak. Ang driver tumakbo, pahinante ang nahuli (The rear bed suddenly rose. The driver fled while police took the truck helper into custody)," he said. The truck helper, identified as Romy Vienes, told police he did not know where the driver, "Elso," fled. –VVP, GMANews.TV