2 critical, 12 hurt as jeep falls into ravine

Tublay, Benguet, Philippines  – Mystery hounds how passengers survived a supposedly fatal vehicular mishap when a private jeep lost its brakes and dived into a 100-meter ravine in Suyok, Daclan, Tublay town, Benguet early morning yesterday.

Only 46-year-old Orlando Acosta and 62-year-old Walsi Tomasa, from Tublay were confined at the Benguet General Hospital for serious head injuries.

Puzzling was how Efren Bayeng, 30; Benedict Bayeng, 30 from Damsite, Caliking, Atok, Benguet; Jomar Emoco, 15, Melicio Mariano, 38; Jonie Sinlao, 38; and Efren Mariano, 40; from Paoay, Atok; Jonel Cutay, 12, from Damsite, Caliking, Atok, Lindo Nabus, 23, from Domolpot, Bayaan, also of Tublay; Rogine Acosta (driver), 21, from Barian, Caliking; Abraham Buddong, 50 from Bayaan, Tublay; Rommel Acosta, 29, and Lydia Acosta, 44, also from Damsite, Caliking, Atok survived almost unscathed with only minor scratches. 

Investigators initially theorized that a mechanical trouble hit the La Trinidad-bound jeepney, specifically losing its brakes, prompted the driver to lose control of the vehicle and dived into the ravine. 

The incident is yet the second-worse highway mishap in Benguet since the Aug. 18 disaster in Banangan, Sablan town where an Eso-Nice bus dived into a 200-meter ravine killing 42 passengers. 

The LTFRB-Central Office is still ruling on Eso-Nice’s franchise after its one-month suspension has ended and allowed again its buses to ply their Baguio-Ilocos Sur routes.