One more student dies in Benguet highway mishap

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The death toll in the Benguet highway accident rose to eight.

Joanna Pisara, who was confined at the intensive care unit of the Baguio General Hospital following the highway mishap that claimed the lives of two of her teachers, three classmates, their tour guide and one alternate driver, died 3:45 Wednesday afternoon.

She suffered a cardiac arrest, said 911-on-call rescue group chief Rafael Valencia,  who himself brought out most of the fatalities and survivors from the bus and the 18-wheeler truck  that collided.

Six persons died on the spot when the tourist bus  hired by the Marinduque State College educational trip contingent collided with the Baguio-bound 18-wheeler processed meat delivery truck.  Another one died before reaching the hospital.

All of the fatalities were already brought home while all of the survivors except four other passengers of the bus returned to their native Marinduque.

Two nights ago, Pisara reportedly “died” when she showed no vital signs but “came back” after a few minutes.

Like Pisara’s classmate, Florelyn Zulueta, who still remains at the ICU, most of the survivors suffered serious bone and facial injuries.

Three others – driver Roger Albayalde, students Shery May Rufugo, 18 and Almar Reginio,19 are being treated and undergoing observation at the hospital.

“Harrowing Experience”

“We are glad she is ok now,” Rufugo’s mother, Joy, said.

Rufugo's face was scarred from the strong impact of the accident but is able to speak a few words.  “Parang  hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala,” she said, struggling to  speak.

Valencia who personally pulled out Rufugo from the piles of dead and injured bodies inside the bus said the tourism student was unconscious when taken to the hospital.

The young Rufugo  only woke up half a day after the accident. She is  set to be transferred to the Eyes, Ears, Nose and Tongue (EENT) section for follow check up on her facial condition.

The elder Rufugo and her husband Sancho traveled all the way from Marinduque after learning of the accident.

The mother said she is grieving for the other victims who  died in the accident.

A case is being readied against the bus firm, its owner and the driver — Roger Albayalde -  who is also lying injured a few feet from the three student survivors at the surgery ward. 

Nineteen-year-old Almar Reginio,  whose face like the younger Rufugo's was also injured,  said he is recovering from the accident. He is set to undergo a number of check ups to be able to leave the hospital and go home.

Reginio who was sitting at the bus’ back row was found by rescuers unconscious at the front row.

Reginio said that while they were still in Baguio City on that fateful night,  they were told that the bus had some problems and they  would be transferred to another bus when they reach Manila.  “Kaso, hindi na kami umabot.”

Officials of the MSC headed by university president Romulo Malvar are still in Baguio to monitor the recovery of their students.

“Indictment”

Malvar said  university vice president Leodegario Halos, who has been in Baguio for several days now, is helping in the preparation of the case being readied against the bus owner and driver.

The Benguet prosecutor’s office has denied the petition of driver Albayalde to be transferred to a hospital in Ilocos Sur.

Albayalde, who is from Caoayan town in Ilocos Sur was only an alternate driver, his brother Jimmy who motored from Vigan City to the hospital told the Philippine Star.

“Akala ko nga siya na ang patay, kasi sabi patay ang bus driver,” Jimmy Albayalde said.

Another driver,  Leopoldo Nana,  was among those killed in the tragedy. - Artemio A. Dumlao