34 hurt as bus rams Makati shop

Manila, Philippines -  At least 34 people were injured when the bus they were riding allegedly lost its brakes and slammed against the wall of a shop along EDSA in Barangay Magallanes, Makati City yesterday.

The Road Emergency and Rescue of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said 28 of those injured were passengers of the Newman Gold Liner bus (TXR-847) and six were employees of the Unisia Merchandising shop, located at the corner of EDSA and Evangelista street.

The injured employees were identified as Arjay Monstar, Alex Mamaril, Kathleen Santelicas, Jocelyn Quidlat, Manny Abrerra and Harold Denzon. According to the MMDA, the employees were waiting for their shop to open when the accident happened at 8:45 a.m.

Two motorcycles parked in front of the shop were also hit by the bus, which plies the Fairview-Baclaran route, the MMDA said.

According to Police Officer 2 Cesar Bueno, bus driver Manuel Mabago and conductor Joebert Villaderic escaped after the accident. Police said Mabago is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and multiple physical injuries.

The MMDA’s Metrobase said the bus was removed from the scene at about 11:10 a.m., nearly two hours later because an electric wire was snagged during the accident. “We had to wait for the MMDA to clear out the area,” MMDA Segment 5 team leader Rendentor Reyes said.

Reyes said those injured were rushed to the Pasay General Hospital, San Juan de Dios Hospital and Makati Hospital for emergency treatment.