Childdies in accident; 16 others injured

CEBU, Philippines - An 11-year-old girl died while 16 others were injured when a bus of Vallacar Transit rammed into a tree in Barangay Luca, Ajuy, Iloilo last Sunday afternoon.

Sheryn Buedia, a resident of Brgy. Pili, Ajuy was sitting near the driver and was thrown off her seat due to the impact. She was rushed to the hospital along with the other passengers, but was declared dead on arrival.

Ajuy police chief Sr. Insp. Ariel Artillero said most of the passengers who sustained injuries were eventually released from the hospital after receiving treatment. As of yesterday, only four were left at the Sara District Hospital.

The bus driver, Alcon Aldea, a resident of Balasan town, said he tried to avoid hitting elderly men who crossed the street after alighting from a tricycle. However, the bus hit a mahogany tree before it fell over in the middle of the road.

Artillero said investigation revealed that Aldea was driving the bus fast and was trying to block another bus driven by one Roel Borlado, 33, from overtaking.

“Aldea reportedly got peeved after he thought that Borlado was loading looking for passengers along the way,” Artillero said.

Documents showed that Aldea’s bus has a permit to ply the Carles-Balasan-Iloilo City route, but he was plying the Lemery – Iloilo City road when the incident happened.

On the other hand, Borlado was plying the Balasan-Sara-Iloilo route.

Both buses are only allowed to pick passengers up at terminals.

Artillero said Borlado made a stop at Barangay San Juan, Barotac Viejo to drop off money sent by a client from Iloilo City.

Aldea’s bus conductor thought that Borlado was picking up a passenger prompting him to inform Aldea about it. This reportedly irked Aldea who then drove faster despite the bad weather to get ahead of Borlado’s bus.

Borlado was released from detention, but Aldea is presently detained pending the filing of charges for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and multiple physical injuries and damage to property.

Last Sunday morning, a woman was killed and two others were injured when a passenger jeepney turned turtle when it collided with an Isuzu Highlander at the intersection of Ledesma and Mabini Streets in Iloilo City. — /JMO (FREEMAN)