MANILA (Updated 11:01 a.m.) -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended for one month the franchise of Guevarra Bus Line after the accident in Camarines Sur province Saturday morning.
Binibining Pilipinas International 2009 Melody Gersbach was among the three people killed in the vehicular accident that took place at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday at Maharlika highway in Barangay Pawili, Bula town in Camarines Sur.
Police identified the two other fatalities as Santos "Dodong" Ramos and Alden "Owen" Orense, the driver and make-up artist of Gersbach, respectively.
Police said the 24-year-old Gersbach and her two companions died instantly when her Toyota Innova van collided head-on with a Guevarra bus driven by Wilson Pontillas.
Major Harold Cabunoc, public information officer of the Army's 9th Infantry Division, said the bus was going to Legazpi while Gersbach's vehicle was heading to Naga City.
Gersbach was supposed to attend Ms. Bicolandia Executive Committee meeting for Ms. Bicolandia 2010 at the Avenue Hotel in Naga City, Cabunoc said.
Cabunoc said the bus driver voluntarily surrendered to the Municipal Police Station in Pili town.
Pontillas told police that he was trying to avoid a tricycle in the Maharlika highway when it rammed into the Toyota Innova van from the opposite direction.
LTFRB Chairman Dante Lantin said initial investigation showed that the bus line had a mechanical problem that led to the accident.
Transport authorities will conduct a hearing next week in connection to the accident.
Lantin said the operators of Guevarra bus that crashed in Camarines Sur need to explain why their franchise should not be suspended.
Aside from this, all units of Guevarra Bus Line will be inspected to assure the roadworthiness of the vehicles. (Sunnex)