16 hurt in EDSA bus smashup

MANILA, Philippines - Sixteen passengers were hurt when a bus smashed into another bus along EDSA in Quezon City Friday night.

Traffic investigator Police Officer 3 Perlito Datu said those injured were passengers of a Starbus Transport bus driven by Michael Regalario, who himself emerged unscathed from the incident.

Datu said the Starbus unit’s brakes failed and the vehicle rear-ended an RBM Grand Rally bus driven by Dominador Usita at past 11 p.m. in front of the Farmer’s Plaza in Cubao.

Injured passengers Ana Marie Paraiso, 51; Jessica Caguioa, 25; Marvin Bernaque, 25; Pamie Guevarra, 27; May Villaflor, 30; Manuel Bote, 21; Maribeth Villestas, 25; Stacey Anne Courtney Cervantes, 24; Denise Angela Salazar, 18; Catherine Andres, 23; Manuel Maestro, 22; Charlemagne Castillo, 28; Jackie John de Luna, 28; Laira Santirac, 19; David Manlapig, 20; and John Raniel Isidro, 16, were brought to the East Avenue Medical Center.

Regalario’s bus was moving along the northbound lane of EDSA when its brakes suddenly failed before it reached the intersection of P. Tuazon Avenue.

The passengers told police Regalario even warned them that the brakes were not working and that they should brace themselves for a possible accident.

The Starbus could not even stop at the red light at the intersection of P. Tuazon Avenue, passengers said. At the time, the RBM bus was in front of the Farmer’s Plaza and unloading passengers.

When Regalario saw the RBM bus in front of him, he told police he decided to hit the RBM bus since the vehicle was large enough to force his bus to stop.