6 killed after bus overturns in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least six people, mostly minors, were killed while 17 others were seriously injured when the passenger bus they were riding overturned around Sunday noon along the highway of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, police said.

Senior Superintendent Sopronio Elcaldre, Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial director, said the bus of Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) with plate number KWA 252 and body number 1269 driven by Biato Dumpa, Jr. overturned along the highway at Barangay Anonang.

He said the ill-fated bus was packed within an estimated 43 passengers who left Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur bound for Cagayan de Oro City. 

Police investigation disclosed the bus came from a descending road and gained speed on the highway stretch of Purok 1 Barangay Anonang when it swerved to its left and wildly overturned before crashing in a ditch.

Three of the victims, one of them had his head severed, died on the spot while three others died in the hospital, according to police.

Elcaldre identified those who died on the spot as siblings Kent John Lachica, 7; his sisters Jorelyn , 14;  and Clenie Chiarra, 16, all residents of Purok Nangka, Barangay Maranding, Lala town, Lanao del Norte.

Those who died from the hospital in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte were as Lilia Billetes, 60-65-years-old, a resident of Pagadian City; Jhecyl Nicdao, 2, of Barangay Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City and Revin John Languyan, 3 months old, of Barangay Maragang, Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur. 

Police investigation revealed that those who were killed were seated at the rear portion of the bus. 

Those injured victims who were rushed to different hospitals were identified as Rosalyn Ceniza, 29; of Taguitic, Kapatagan, Lanao Del Norte; Epifania Jumawan, 73; and Anecita Quiapo, 66 both of Barangay Anonang, Aurora, Zamboanga Del Sur; Diosdada Benigay, 53 of Tigbao, Zamboanga Del Sur; Arjohn Bandico, 16 of Liloy, Zamboanga Del Norte; Mark Dennis Martel, 18 of Maranding, Lala, Lanao Del Norte; Marcelisa Nicdao, 29, Cagayab De Oro; Evelyn Delosa, 43, Margos, Kapatagan, Lanao Del Norte; Jhon Rey Lachica, 5; Delia Martel, 42, Purok 5, Barangay Abaga, Maranding, Lala, Lanao Del Norte; John Rey Tayogan, 13, and Jimjim Tayogan, both of Purok Uno, Barangay San Vicente, Kapatagan, Lanao Del Norte; Solomon Soliva, 49, Liloy, Zamboanga Del Norte; Janice Lunguyan, 22, Maragang, Tigbao, Zamboanga Del Sur; Maria Estelita Talampas, 53, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro; and Arlene Apostol, 46, Barangay Bemposa, Aurora, Zamboanga Del Sur.

“The villagers who were the first responders tried to rescue most of the passengers who pinned inside the bus but three of the victims died as a result of the impact of the accident,” Elcadre told newsmen in a phone patch interview.

The bus driver was also among those injured and has been held for questioning.

The bus driver initially said the bus brake system malfunctioned causing it to overturn. 

The bus was temporarily impounded while formal complaint for reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and serious physical injuries have been prepared and to be filed anytime Monday in the local court against the driver.