Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (davaotoday.com)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Authorities said they are now investigating the bus accident that claimed the lives of three persons, including a minor, and wounded dozens of others in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Thursday.
Police identified those who died on the spot as passengers Irene Gaa, 30, of Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro, and Regine Abug, 10, Purok 2, Barangay Maligaya, Malaybalay. They were pinned down by the bus.
A bystander, 14-year-old Jomiaca Tacay, of Baranga Patpat, was also killed.
Most of the 28 passengers sustained wounds, including the driver, the bus fare collector, and a police officer who was on board the bus.
Senior Insp. Joselle Longakit, provincial police spokesperson, said they are now looking into the cause of the incident, adding they are awaiting the progress report from the Malaybalay police.
A source told Davao Today, however, said the driver of the airconditioned bus which was owned and operated by the Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI), tried to swerve when a pedestrian crossed the national highway in Purok 2, Barangay Patpat on Thursday afternoon.
The swerving caused the bus which was bound for Valencia City, to turn on its side when the driver tried to get back on course due to the slippery road.
“The bus was going at a regular speed, probably 70 kilometers per hour, but it skidded and rolled off the highway,” the source said, who asked for anonymity.
Half of the bus windshield was shattered.
The bus also hit the frontage of a Baptist church.
The source said the RTMI management has provided financial assistance to the families of the crash victims. (davaotoday.com)
