This is probably not the first time that we hear stories of bus accidents in the country. Let me guess. Perhaps, a travel tour bus carrying students to their school activity, and all of the sudden, lost its control and slammed on the barriers? Isn’t a familiar scenario? Of all those reports, all have one common denominator: BUS LOST ITS BRAKES! Yeah, right!
I’ve never heard better explanation from any bus drivers when facing this kind of situation. I can imagine the tension that’s running in their mind, and brake failures, as always, has been their last resort of reasoning.
Last night, forty four students from Rizal University System in Morong, Rizal were on board a bus (Charm Travel and Tour with plate number RNJ 324 driven by Julius Pascual Beleno) and nineteen delegation on board a Coaster van with plate number SAA 8392 driven by Ramil Concepcion San Jose, met an unfortunate accident after the bus suddenly lost its break and fell into a deep canal in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro.
According to report of Police Senior Inspector Joselito Sape of PNP Magsaysay Municipal Police Station, the students on board on bus is bound to participate in the Southern Tagalog Regional Association State Colleges and Universities (STRASUC) Olympics at San Jose in Occidental Mindoro. Upon reaching Batangas port in Oriental Mindoro at 11:00 AM, the bus traveled and reached the steep of Sitio Bunga, Barangay Nicholas, where the coaster van is heading.
Beleno, the bus driver of Charm Travel and Tour, tries to recover after losing its brake by maneuvering to the left to avoid the coaster van, but it slammed and fell into the deep canal. Upon checking on the report, we knew that both drivers were traveling fast. According to PNP Magsaysay Municipal Police Station, Beleno fled after the accident.
In a rescue operation conducted by Philippine Army, two were reported dead while 38 others were badly injured, who were all brought at the nearby hospital for treatment. The two casualties identified as Jonathan Piñada, Director of University of Rizal System-Morong, Rizal, and Elmer Dapillo, a professor at the University of Rizal System.
Meanwhile, LTFRB Spokesperson Aileen Lizada said, “On the road crash regarding the involvement of Charm Aloha Travel Bus with plate number RNJ 324, the board will be issuing a preventive suspension order on its two units.”
Lizada further explained, “Its appears that the bus is out of line since the franchise was issued by Region 3. Therefore, the bus should only be operating within Region 3. However, the road crash occurs in Region 4.”
“While it is out of line PAMI will still cover the medical expenses and we are still attending the need of patient immediately. Also, LTFRB is inviting the school to attend the next hearing, “ adds Lizada.
Philippine Accident Manager’s Incorporated (PAMI) is the one in-charge for the insurance policy of every passengers mostly for public utility vehicles (PUVs) accredited by LTFRB.
Here are the partial names of person that were brought in the hospital courtesy of Radyo Mindoro News Network:
- Rose Marie Dela Cruz – 19 years old (Student from Tanay Rizal)
- Daisy Anonuevo – 19 years old (Student from Binangonan Rizal)
- Reyneca Lapure Pitular – 18 years old (Student from Morong Rizal)
- Jaya Icadnaro Sarausos – 20 years old (Student from Morong Rizal)
- Jomicoh Hann Perpetua – 20 years old (Student from Morong Rizal)
- Kimuel Joshua Sabundo San Juan – 20 years old (Student from Cardona Rizal)
- Angelito Bonifacio Fernando – 38 years old (Physician from Antipolo Rizal)
- Mary Jane Odiver Ancog – 19 years old (Student from Binangonan Rizal)
- Ivan Miguel Ragca Cuyong – 20 years old (Student from Binangonan Rizal)
- Lovely Janecerafica Santiago – 21 years old (Student from Binangonan Rizal)
- Krystel Nillasca Anunes – 23 years old (Student from Binangonan Rizal)
- Daisy Ann Morgado Collado – 19 years old (Student from Binangonan Rizal)
- Roselle Portugal Cerafica – 22 years old (Student from Binangonan Rizal)
- Jacky Quintinita Pascu – 22 years old (Student from Binangonan Rizal)
- Nathan Francis Hernandez Ezguera – 20 years old (Student from San Rafael Rodriguez Rizal)
- Joky Bagon Pagayonan – 22 years old (Student from Payatas)
- Karl Ryel Valerica Valle – 20 years old (Student from Binangonan Rizal)
- Adrian Pascual Manaol – 40 years old (Sports Coordinator from Rodriguez Rizal)
- Renato Francisco Delemon – 55 years old (Budget Officer from Sampalok, Tanay Rizal)
- Mariano Coransa Tulod – 24 years old (Student from Cardona Rizal)
- Juleann Pareja Castro – 19 years old (Student from Tayuman Rizal)
- Mary Ann De Castro
- Maricel Manaol – 39 years old (Rodriguez Rizal)
- Maria Cristina Cestina – 25 years old (Student from Binangonan Rizal)
- Nikka Ramirez – 21 years old (Student from Rizal)
- Jerecho Jereza – 20 years old (Student from Rizal)
- Jennilyn Victorino – 23 years old (Student from Rizal)
- Jerome Juanico – 25 years old (Student from Rizal)
- Joven Gapas – 20 years old (Student from Rizal)
- Jommel Alejo Thomas – 39 years old (Bus Conductor)
*Photos from Radyo Mindoro News Network
