12 killed in road mishap

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Twelve persons died Saturday afternoon after the bus they were riding lost its breaks and rammed into an acacia tree along Marcos Highway in Barangay Palina, Pugo town, La Union.

The fatalities were identified as Warlito Pastera Sayoco, Luiza Sarmiento Gasapos, Martin Lydia, Ines Banes, Pamela Tanya Africa, Eleuteria Reyes, Mickail Reyes, Mercidita Reyes and Isabelita Reyes.

A boy, about seven years old, and a woman have yet to be identified.

Responding policemen from Pugo Police Station and some concerned citizens rushed the victims to different hospitals for treatment.

Police Provincial Director Noli Talino said the passengers are members of St. Peter Parish in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

They were travelling home from Baguio City onboard a PJM Love Bus bearing plate number RHE 316 driven by Silvestre Binay Jr. of Las Pinas City when the accident happened.

Initial investigation disclosed that eight passengers died on the spot (one male and seven female).

The 41 other passengers were rushed to Baguio General Hospital. However, four died (three female and one male) while being attended by doctors at the operating room.

Meanwhile, the driver and a certain Manolito Pacheco were brought to La Union Medical Center in Agoo, La Union for treatment.

The police are conducting further investigation and identification of the other victims while waiting for their families to arrive.

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