8 dead, 19 hurt as bus rams roadside slope in Samal
-A A +ABy Alger Dura and Arianne Caryl N. Casas
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
DAVAO CITY (Updated) -- A bus overturned after ramming a roadside slope in Kaputian district in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) Tuesday morning, leaving eight people dead and 19 others injured.
The accident happened around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Km. 16 in Barangay Poblacion, Kaputian district, the authorities said.
The Island City Express bus was on its way to Kaputian from Peñaplata when it encountered mechanical problem upon reaching a curve at sitio 20 in Barangay Poblacion, causing the driver to lost control of the brake and hit the slope.
The driver, identified as Simforiano Rubio Jr., 62, of Babak in Igacos, and four passengers died on the spot, while three others died while undergoing treatment at Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City.
City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council officer Janos Rafailes identified those passengers killed on the spot as Mary Hazel Monion of Davao City; Milagros Cahanap of Malvar Street, Davao City; Marjun Rin Senok of Barangay Sion, Igacos; and Alfredo Baja, a resident of Barangay Bunawan, Davao City.
Three more passengers died at the hospital. They were identified as Jason Nepomoceno, 18, of Nabunturan, Kaputian district; Zaldy Diototos, 25; and Jenelyn Manayaga of Matanos, Kaputian.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Davao Region said on Tuesday it will investigate the mishap.
Edgar Violan, spokesperson for LTFRB, said they will require the bus company management to explain in writing what really caused the accident.
"It is a standard procedure," Violan told Sun.Star Davao in a phone interview.
City information officer Melrose Arig told Sun.Star Davao that a representative from the Bangayan Group of Companies, which operates Island City Express, assured Igacos City Mayor Anianao Antalan to extend financial assistance to the families of the victims.
Superintendent Roland Agohob, chief of the Igacos police, said those injured were immediately brought to SPMC, where they are now undergoing treatment. Some of the injured are in critical condition.
"Ang nangyari kasi, galing ng Peñaplata ang bus. Pagdating nila sa Sitio 20, biglang nagkaroon ng mechanical problem. Bumangga sa roadside kaya tumaob ang bus (The bus came from Peñaplata. Upon reaching Sitio 20, it incurred a mechanical problem, hit a slope and overturned)," Agohob said.
"Sa ngayon, patuloy pa ang ating imbestigasyon para makuha ang kompletong pangalan sa mga victims (As of now, we are still conducting an investigation to get the names of all of the victims)," he added.
The local government of Igacos, through City Administrator Anacleto Gales Jr., also attended to the victims.
Gales said injured victims who were brought to the SPMC were Helen Diototos, 53, and Mikaela Shane Diototos, 1, both from Sion, Kaputian; Mary Ann Danwata, 20, of Sion, Kaputian; Bonifacio Tecson, 49, of Tahang, Samal; Elpedia dela Cruz, 83, of Cawag, Samal; Alberto dela Cruz, 46, of Cawag, Samal; Marcosa Seclayan, 55, a resident of Tagabaobao, Kaputian; Jenelyn Salinas, who is three-month pregnant, 19, of Peñaplata, Samal; Sweet Angel Monio, 8, of Agdao, Davao City; Flora Suarez, 63, of Dadatan, Kaputian; Judith Monion, 42; Danilo Monion, 42, of Agdao, Davao City; Jelmar Pamini, 26, of Cogon, Kaputian; Juvilyn Baja, 29, of Bunawan, Davao City; Noel Estrera, 51, of San Isidro, Kaputian; Jun Famoso, 48, of New Bataan; Laurencia Masipequeña, 44, of Toril, Davao City; Hara Palacio, 16, of Toril, Davao City; and another victim who is yet to be identified.
Violan said as soon as the bus company submits its explanation, they will verify whether there are possible grounds for suspension. He said the bus is covered with the Passenger Accident Management & Insurance Agency Inc.
Violan said they will try to find out if the driver was reckless or the vehicle was under maintenance.
Following the accident, Violan reminded all public utility vehicle drivers to be extra careful as this is the season when passengers flock to their hometowns and pay respect to their departed family members.
Janus Rafailes, head of Igacos's disaster office, said Samal is a popular tourist destination because of its pristine beaches, but said the victims were all residents of Igacos and nearby Davao City.
Accidents are common in the country and are often blamed on poorly maintained vehicles and roads, and bad driving, Rafailes said.
In Cebu City, at least seven people died while 33 others were injured when a packed bus lost its brakes and slammed into a concrete wall in Barangay Don Andres Soriano, Toledo City, Saturday night.
In the same area about two years ago, 15 people died while 48 others were wounded when another bus also lost its brakes. (Sun.Star Davao/AP/Sunnex)
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