7 killed, 34 hurt in bus-truck crash in Benguet

BENGUET -- Seven people were killed and 34 others injured when a chartered tourist bus carrying graduating tourism students crashed head on with a delivery truck at 10:30 p.m. Thursday along Marcos Highway in Taloy, Tuba, Benguet.

The accident occurred some 15 kilometers southwest of Baguio City and 234 kilometers north of Manila.

Inspector Virgilio A. Hidalgo, public information officer of the Baguio City Police Office, said the bus was carrying graduating Bachelor of Science in Tourism (BST) students from the Marinduque State College (MSC).

The group came from an educational tour in Baguio City, which is presently having its month-long flower festival known as "Panagbenga" with highlights to be held this weekend.

Jenny Quintero, a fourth year tourism student of MSC who survived the crash, helped the police authorities in identifying some of the fatalities in a local morgue.

Quintero identified the fatalities as Dianne Lauro (student), Mariel Mingi (teacher) Princess Ann Pastorside (student), Jenny Liza Lantorya (teacher), Carlo Pintor (tour guide), and Leopoldo Nana (bus driver).

Mervin Malatino, 27, died before reaching the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC).

Identified as seriously injured were Anralin Molina, 19; Marie Ann Regino, 20; Clarise Penarubia, 19; Shera Marie Volapugo,18; Rufina Fae Tagle; Joslito Peralta; Mark Darwin Padaca, 20; Ryan Abrera,35; Fei Angeves, 18; Roselyn Roldan,19; Sandralyn Pielago, 18; Susimitha Amen, 18; Rizalie Ricafranca, 18; Jenelyn Pontero, 18; Jeanie Mae Pedrialva, 19; Almar Reginio, 19; Jeninia Gomez, 22; Roshell Pernia, 20; Renzel Zulueta, 19; Mary Joy Regala, 20; Lorena Villaruel, 19; Manilyn Ray, 19; John Laurence Antolin, 22; Romel Pergis, 19; Aldrin Almonte, 22; Alfonso Feria, 23; Joanna Pizarra; Ribina Quele; Randave Regala, 22; Roger Cuyo Albayalde; Joel Bengua, 33; and Jose Bonife, 33.

Police investigation revealed that the Manila-bound tour bus was on its way to the lowlands when it collided with a ten-wheeler cargo truck with four persons aboard which was on its way up to Baguio City.

The ill-fated bus was allegedly running on high speed and developed faulty brakes while negotiating a steep downhill part of the highway, the police said.

Most of the injured passengers were admitted at BGHMC and are under state of shock, especially after learning the tragic fate of their companions, reports said.

Among the responders are the Tuba policemen, 911 on Call, policemen from Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), fire departments, and some concerned residents of Badiwan.

The road is temporarily closed to public due to scattered debris.

BCPO officials have already issued an advisory cautioning motorists coming and leaving Baguio City to expect traffic build-up in the area. (Rubyloida Bitog/Sun.Star Baguio/PNA/Sunnex)