26 hurt as jeep plunges into ravine

At least 26 people, six of them children, were seriously injured Sunday when the passenger jeepney they were riding lost its brakes and hit a luxury vehicle before plunging into a 30-feet ravine in Antipolo City.

The driver of the jeepney, Graciano Ruperta Jr., 36, of No. 55 Bonifacio St., Barangay San Jose sustained head and body injuries. He was listed in critical condition at the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center in Marikina City.

The other victims, including businessman Martin Quigley, 36, a resident of Valle Verde 4 in Pasig City, and the owner of the Nissan Patrol (XBV 258) also sustained head and body injuries. He was declared by doctors to be out of danger. Superintendent Danilo Macerin, Antipolo City police chief said the passenger jeepney was negotiating the downward stretch of the Sumulong Highway in Barangay Mambugan at high speed when Ruperta lost control of the vehicle at about 2:30 p.m. 

In a bid to bring the vehicle to a stop, Ruperta rammed it into the Nissan Patrol of Quigley which was parked at the outer end of the highway, in front of the terminal of the JAC bus. Quigley’s car turned several times before coming to a stop at an open drainage.

But the jeepney continued its journey and plunged, head on, into a 30-feet ravine.

Witnesses said the all of those aboard the vehicle screamed at the top of their voices while they were airborne and upon landing in the soil.

The vehicle turned turtle before coming to a stop, with several passengers pinned down by the jeepney, including Ruperta, Macerin said.

The passengers were extricated from the jeepney and the last to go was Ruperta, who was crying in pain.

Macerin said the victims were rushed separately at the Angono District hospital and the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center. Those injured were Jamod Ferrer, 34; Miguel Bernabe, 20; Eddie Erda, 25; Oscar Mangsat, 45, his wife Apolinia, 33, and son, Vincent Paulo, 5; Marikit Pejoda, 19; Rowel Daracen, 17;Diana Rose Dionisio, 20; Ronald Clavejo,30; Efren Balanas, 25; Carlos Beliren, 37; Willie Monteros, 51, and his wife, Florida, 52.

The others are Analyn Manalo, 29, and her children Andrea, 4 and seven-month-old Hanc; Purisima Beniosa, 13; Joel Gumeyeng, 22; Nestor Francisco, 22; Janlien Ardo, 20; Jemar Francisco, 5; Gina Mino, 12, and Ante Gapusin, 57. 

Police are set to file charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple serious physical injuries in relation fo R.A. 7610 or child abuse act because a number of children were among the victims.