Police Officer 2 Clifford Roedas of Lupi police station identified the victims as Hazel Zilmar, 29; Francesca Belamono, 67; and Ramil de la Cruz, 28.
He said a Samar-bound Silverstar (DVX 967) bus driven by Major Auro all the way from Manila was travelling along Sitio Mauca in Barangay (village) Colacling, Camarines Sur around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday when it tried to overtake using the opposite lane of the road, smashing onto a Manila-bound Ultrabus (KM329-330) unit driven by Ricardo Chanico.
Four were wounded from the Ultrabus and the rest of the injuries were from the Silverstar bus, Clifford said.
The casualties, who were likewise passengers of the Silverstar bus, were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment, but were subsequently declared dead on arrival, he said.
Both drivers were taken into police custody.