21 hurt as bus rams roadside store in Compostela Valley

DAVAO CITY — At least 21 people were injured when a passenger bus veered off the road and rammed a sari-sari (variety) store in Nabunturan town, Compostela Valley province on Tuesday night, police said on Wednesday.

The Metro Shuttle bus with body number 622 was heading to New Bataan town, Compostela Valley from Davao City when it slammed into the roadside store owned by Emalinda Maravillas at Purok 3, Barangay New Sibonga around 8:30 p.m., Chief Insp. Milgrace Driz, Southern Mindanao police regional spokesperson, said.

Initial investigation revealed that the bus with 19 passengers was traversing the Davao-Butuan road when the driver lost control of the vehicle due to the slippery highway. The bus careened off, hitting the store.

There was no report if there was somebody inside the store during the accident.

All the passengers and bus conductor Lloyd Alvarez were rushed to the Compostela Valley Provincial Hospital in Montevista town for treatment of injuries.

Police held in custody driver Jonah Rey de la Cruz, who had minor injuries, Driz said.