Seven more cars pass roadworthiness tests

CEBU, Philippines - Seven vehicles owned by JD Rent-a-Car that earlier failed the roadworthiness test conducted by the Land Transportation Office Motor Vehicle Inspection Center passed after tune-up yesterday, bringing down the number of unsound vehicles to 21.

LTO-7 regional director Raul Aguilos also said more than 30 drivers of JD Rent-a-Car company were ordered to attend lectures and written examination at the LTO regional office this morning.

The lecturers will discuss defensive driving techniques and some other concerns related to Republic Act 4136 or the Transportation and Traffic Code.

“Human ang mga drayber maka-attend sa lecture pakuhaon sila og written examination aron sutaon kon makapasar ba sila sa JD Rent-a-Car,” Aguilos said.

According to Aguilos if the concerned drivers will not attend the scheduled lecture and written examination at 9 a.m. this morning the LTO will also not recommend for the lifting of the suspension of the franchise of their vehicles.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 regional director Benjamin Go issued a one-month suspension of the franchises of the 33 vehicles owned by the rent-a-car company.

The transportation officials decided that vehicles of JD Rent-a-Car be tested for roadworthiness because of reports that brake failure was the cause of Sunday’s tragedy.

Those vehicles that failed the roadworthiness tests had unbalanced brakes that may cause the vehicles to swerve right or left once the driver applies the brakes.

Aside from the lectures and written examination, Aguilos said the drivers of JD Rent-a-Car will also be asked to undergo drug tests to determine whether or not they use drugs.

Those who will be found positive of prohibited drugs will lose their driver’s licenses. The payment for the drug test will be shouldered by the rent-a-car company, Aguilos said.

Meanwhile, the Scene of the Crime Operatives together with Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Erson Digal and led by Police Regional Office-7 director Lani-o Nerez conducted an ocular inspection of the bus yesterday.

Digal said it is part of their investigation to inspect the bus to gather evidence that may help shed light on what really caused the accident.

“Mao nga nag-imbestigar mi og taman karon aron masayran kung unsa g’yu’y hinungdan sa aksidente,” Digal said.

Yesterday, Digal said, they were indeed able to recover an important item that may help them in their investigation, though he refused to divulge what it was pending investigation.

Digal also said the Balamban Police will be taking custody of the bus for future presentation of evidence in court.

The bus was pulled out of the ravine the other day with heavy equipment provided by WTG Construction and Tsuneishi Heavy Industries. — Rene U. Borromeo and Niña G. Sumacot/BRP (THE FREEMAN)