Passengers safe as bus owned by troubled firm catches fire

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—A bus owned by a company now being torn apart by family feud over control and ownership caught fire on Sunday (Aug 4) while it was carrying passengers to the town of Kibawe from Malaybalay City in Bukidnon province.

Police said the bus, owned by Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) of the Bacolod City-based Yanson clan, was on the road when the driver heard a sound from the engine followed by smoke, prompting him to step on the brakes and ask his 13 passengers to get off the vehicle.

The bus was ablaze a few minutes later.

Firefighters from the Malaybalay fire station rushed to the scene and put out the flames.

Jay Galindo, RTMI branch operations manager here, credited the driver and conductor for prompt action that saved lives and prevented loss of personal belongings.

Galinda said the passengers were transferred to another RTMI bus headed to the same destination.

Galindo said the bus company management has already ordered an investigation to find out who was responsible.

SSgt Benjie Bahayanan, Malaybalay city police investigator, said there appeared to be no foul play, citing initial investigation results./TSB