6 Rural bus passengers dead and 16 others were wounded in accident

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBO DEL SUR (April 28, MPF NEWS) – Six bus passengers were dead while 16 others were wounded and brought to thye nearby hospital after a passenger bus owned by Rural Transit of Mindanao Incorporated (RTMI) based at Bulua, Cagayan De Oro City turn left side down upon reaching the blind curve at about 12:noon Sunday in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur near the boundary of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre said in the initial investigation, the Rural Bus with body number with body no 1269, plate no KWV 252 driven by Biato Dumpa Y Colance, a resident of Barangay Dulong, Libertad, Misamis Oriental travelling from Pagadian City bound for Cagayan De Oro City and upon reaching at curve along the national highway of Purok 1, Barangay Anonang, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur the driver lost control of his driven vehicle and turn left side down.

SSupt Ecaldre said three passengers died on the spot were identified as Kent Jhon Lachica Y Coot, 7 years old; Jorelyn Lachica Y Coot, 14 years old And Clenie Chiarra Lachica Y Coot, 16 years old, all residents of purok Nangka, Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao Del Norte.

Ecaldre said the three others were died at Kapatagan Hospital identified as Lilia Billetes, aging from 60 to 65 years old, a resident of Pagadian City; Jhecyl Nicdao Y Malaubang, 2 years old, a resident of Bugo, Cagayan De Oro City and Revin John Languyan, 3 months old, a resident of Barangay Maragang, Tigbao, Zamboanga Del Sur.

Ecaldre also said that the injured passengers were mostly brought to Kapatagan Hospital and nearby hospitals identified as follows: 

1) Rosalyn Ceniza Y Malaubang, 29 years old, a resident of Taguitic, Kapatagan,

Lanao del Norte;

2) Epifania Jumawan Y Anggot, 73 years old and

3) Anecita Quiapo Y Marata, 66 years old both resident of Barangay Anonang

Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur;

4) Diosdada Benigay Y Saladaga, 53 years old, a resident of Tigbao, Zamboanga

del Sur; 

5) Arjohn Bandico Y Curambao, 16 years old, a resident of Liloy, Zamboanga del

Norte;

6) Mark Dennis Martel Y Josol, 18 years old, a resident of Maranding, Lala, 

                 Lanao del Norte;

7) Marcelisa Nicdao Y Malaubang, 29 years old, a resident of Cagayan De Oro;

8) Evelyn Delosa Y Balondo, 43 years old, a resident of Margos, Kapatagan,

                 Lanao del Norte;

9) Jhon Rey Lachica Y Coot, 5 years old resident of purok Nangka, Barangay

Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte.

10) Delia Martel Y Josol, 42 years old, a resident of Purok 5, Barangay Abaga,

Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte;

11) John Rey Tayogan Y Sopot, 13 years old and

12) Jimjim Tayogan Y Sopot, both resident of Purok Uno, Barangay San Vicente,

Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte;

13) Solomon Soliva Y Barbaso, 49 years old, a resident Of Liloy, Zamboanga del

Norte;

14) Janice Lunguyan Y Sumaylo, 22 years old, a resident of Maragang, Tigbao,

Zamboanga del Sur;

15) Maria Estelita Talampas Y Benidictos, 53 years old, a resident of Carmen,

Cagayan de oro; and

16) Arlene Apostol Y Gayo, 46 years old and a resident of Barangay Bemposa

Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur. 

The Provincial Director said the bus driver also sustained slight wounds and bruises at his left arm and together with his conductor were brought to Aurora Municipal Police station for safe keeping and further investigation while formal complaint for reckless imprudence results in multiple homicide and multiple serious physical injuries now being prepared to be filed in court,

He said the rural transit bus was also impounded at Aurora Police Station for proper disposition.

Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO) leader Rufino Lapirosa also a resident Barangay Anonang said, he is near the area when the accident happened and help vacate the passengers to the nearby hospital.

He notice the bus got slowly when approaching the blind curve but got surprised of the sudden accident. “The bus got almost fell to the cliff when accidentally turn left down,” the CVO leader said.  

He said that the area is accident prone but this is the first bus accident since January 2013.