Bus skids off highway; 7 hurt

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- A bus skidded off a rain-slicked highway in Montawal town in Maguindanao and turned upside down, wounding 27 passengers.

Inspector Romnick Linsangan, chief of Montawal Police, said the incident happened around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday involving a Sophia III air-conditioned bus.

The injured were identified as Princess Montanar; Flor Linda Ancheta, Dolores Manera, 64, of Pagalungan, Maguindanao; Bai Ali Guiabanal; Wilma Macagba, 48, of Pikit, North Cotabato; Liza Binoya, 46, of Pikit; Leah Samillano, 22, of M'lang; Taya Guiamlod, 42, of Kabacan; Tong Gansal; Elsa Fernandez, 49, of Pikit; Leonard Villarosa, 61; Wilma Magbanua, 48; Nasrullah Kanalasal, 43; Sato Kambang, 35; Reynaldo Silog, 22; Consolacion Badilla, 65; B Jay Tambagan, 27, of Pikit; Fe Marasigan, 39; Sarabbi Namla, 43; Teng Zainal, 23, of Matalam; Vilma Lerio, 38, of Pikit; Hernani Modoc, of M'lang; Katrina Huertas; Teresita Catipay, 59; Kenneth Catipay, 16; Jonathan Canja, 22, of Pigcawayan; and Tang Tenan, 23, of Matalam.

Bus driver Adam Abuan, 50, said he was driving slowly, about 40 kilometers per hour, when he reached the asphalted highway along Barangay Pagagawan in Montawal town.

"But the road was very slippery after it rained and I lost control of the vehicle," said Abuan.

The brand new bus was running in good condition, the driver added.

Bus conductor JP Abellana said the vehicle was not fully-loaded as it carried only 44 passengers.

The bus was heading towards Cotabato City from Davao City when it turned upside down along Montawal highway.

The incident Wednesday was the second road accident along Maguindanao Cotabato highway this week.

On Tuesday, 23 passengers were hurt when the mini-bus carrying them plunged off a 30-foot cliff along the highway in President Roxas town in North Cotabato. (Malu Cadeliña Manar)