2 of 18 killed in Skyway crash still unidentified

MANILA, Philippines - Only two of the 18 persons killed in the crash of a Don Mariano Transit bus last Monday in Parañaque City have remained unidentified and unclaimed at the Veronica Funeral Homes in Pasay City.

Lenie Domingo, a staff member of the funeral parlor said the two unclaimed bodies are of a man and a woman. Javier described the woman as having medium built, shoulder-length wavy hair, wearing a pair of denim pants, a woven belt, pink bra and a dark color blouse.

Domingo added that aside from the two still unidentified bodies, the seven other bodies transferred to the Veronica Funeral Parlor from the Funeraria Amigo in Taguig City on Monday afternoon, have all been identified and claimed by their families.

Identified at the Veronica Funeral Homes were Arnold Jimenos, Roberto Bautista, Alvin Balurin, Ricardo Gonzales Jr., Reycel Constantino, William Toledo, and Mar Edriane.

Nel Javier, secretary at the Funeraria Amigo confirmed that all eight bodies left in their care have also been identified and claimed by their respective families.

Identified and claimed at the Funeraria Amigo were Mary Ann Superio, Joey Esponilla, Jean Angelique Cadiz, Rodel Tolentino, Roger Orquejo, Richard Gaveria, Archie Dino and Ramon Labang, conductor of the ill-fated bus that fell off the Skyway and landed on a closed-van.

Police Officer 2 Gerry Formales, an investigator of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), said that another fatality identified as Rolly Bores has also been claimed by his relatives from the Parañaque Medical Center where he was taken after the accident.

Civil cases

Meanhile, the HPG said the relatives of six of the victims have filed separate civil liability cases against the Don Mariano Transit. Formales said four cases were filed by the relatives of Cadiz, Dino, Gaveria and Superio and two more were filed by injured bus passengers.

The HPG on Tuesday filed before the Parañaque City Prosecutor's Office charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple serious physical injuries and damage to property against bus driver Carmelo Calatcat, who is still being treated at a Parañaque hospital.

The early Monday bus crash killed 18 people and left 16 others injured.

Police earlier said the Don Mariano bus (UVC-916) driven by Calatcat and plying the Novaliches-Pacita route, was cruising on the Skyway towards Alabang when it flew off the Skyway in Barangay Marcelo Green at around 5:30 a.m. and crashed on the closed van (ULX-874) travelling northward on the Liway West Service Road below.

Police said the surface of the Skyway was wet as it was raining when the accident happened. Investigators also said that the front wheels of the bus were also badly worn out.

Calatcat and the injured van driver, Gilbert Montellana were rushed to the Parañaque Doctors Hospital for emergency treatment.

The van and the bus were later towed to the HPG SLEX sub-office in Parañaque City for investigation.