LTFRB grounds 6 Victory Liner buses after deadly Nueva Ecija mishap

MANILA -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has suspended the franchise of Victory Liner buses involved in the fatal road accident in Nueva Ecija on Wednesday.

"LTFRB suspends the franchise of the bus involved in the accident. This franchise covers six bus units in the MLA-Isabela route (for 30 days)," Victory Liner Incorporated said in its Twitter account.

The bus company assured that they will comply with the suspension order on the six units bound to Cauayan, Isabela, which will undergo inspection for 30 days.

On Wednesday dawn, the collision between a Victory Liner bus (CWR-195), a truck, and a motorcycle killed nine people and injured nine others.

The fatalities were identified as Ryan Camangeg, the bus driver; Leoncio and Evangeline Pajarillo, the riders of the Honda Wave motorcycle (YZ-5358); and Isuzu truck gasoline tanker (XMD-771) driver Sylvino Marzo. All four died on the spot due to the collision.

Also killed were bus passengers Donatella Aquino and Marife Cale Bondoc.

The National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the accident happened in Maharlika Highway at Purok Curva, Barangay Bantug, Science City of Muñoz in the said province.

The NDRRMC also identified the injured victims as Rolando Colanes of Piat, Cagayan; Maria Rowena Dacanay of Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya; Arthur Antonio Solinas of Sta. Maria, Nueva Vizcaya; Juan Lima Taguilan of Enrile, Cagayan; Araceli R. Medina; Jone Andalang; Arthur A. Calinas; Elvino T. Bajinang; and Alama T. Sansano.

Victory Liner Inc. said it is already giving assistance to the passengers involved in the accident.

According to the bus company, it has 850 units servicing Baguio, Cagayan Valley, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Olongapo, Zambales, Bataan, and Dagupan. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)