Wayward rocket explodes inside jeepney; 2 hurt

A baby rocket (kwitis) swished out of control, entered a half-filled passenger jeepney that was held up by traffic around the Bonifacio Monument then exploded, sending two homeward-bound high school teachers to the hospital Monday night in Caloocan City.

No one has taken responsibility for the wayward rocket even as the injured were treated at the nearest hospital. City hall officials dismissed the incident as a minor accident.

Police at the Bonifacio Monument Circle (BMC) detachment identified the victims as Cleofe Lavapiez, 39, married, a native of Aklan and resident of 1044 AC Tabora street, Obrero and Mila Barte, 40, married, a native of Masbate, residing at 367 Ana Bustamante street, 2nd Avenue, both of Caloocan City.

The two are teachers at the Valenzuela National High School on A. Fernando street, Marulas, Valenzuela City.

After giving their statements to the detachment police, the victims were sent to the Ospital ng Caloocan for medical treatment. Both sustained gashes on the left leg.

The two told The STAR they were on their way home around 7:45 p.m. on board a jeepney filled mostly with women.

The rocket was lighted to mark the start of the anticipated Misa de Gallo held at the Historical Walk on EDSA leading some 100 meters to the Bonifacio Shrine in Caloocan City.

The accident dampened to some degree the festivity announced over media earlier and sponsored by Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo.

The rocket, the second of the initial three salvos in a rack of some 200, was part of the estimated P100,000 fireworks display lit up after the Mass celebrated by Fr. Adrian Magnait of the San Roque Parish chancery.

Kibitzers around the Bonifacio Shrine, awed by the novelty and the psychedelic neon lights wrapped around the numerous lamp posts, generally expressed no objections to the Historical Walk. Their only concern was getting hit by speeding buses and other vehicles on both sides of the walk.

"Maganda naman. Kaya lang, nakakatakot tumawid," said Josie, 19, an Avon manager’s assistant.

Motorists, however, have something else to say.

Roman, 53, a driver plying the MCU-Divisoria route just smiled when asked for comment. He shyly complained about Valenzuela drivers eating up what meager income they used to take on their old route. Passengers they used to take are now being taken by Valenzuela-bound jeepneys as they take the new route passing MCU. Malabon jeepney drivers have also complained of their new re-routing scheme that has reportedly reduced their daily take.