Class suit to be filed vs bus owner in Bontoc crash, says survivor

GV Florida Transport Bus. Noy Morcoso lll/INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines – At least two survivors of the bus crash in Bontoc, Mountain Province that claimed the lives of 15 people will file a class suit against the bus firm.

Dino Dimar, 25 told INQUIRER.net that his family and Abegail Sicam, whose husband and musician-artist David was among the fatalities, will file a formal criminal case against Florida Bus Co.

Dimar said he wanted to have a copy of the complete list of the passengers to “keep track of what happened to them and where they are now. Those from the Mt. Province, how will they file a case? They should help all the victims especially those who died from the accident”.

“I hope everybody is extended help because it’s painful, very painful. We should be vigilant. We cannot afford another accident that would claim the lives of people,” said Dimar, an employee of Hinge Inquirer Publications, a member of the Inquirer Group of Companies that include INQUIRER.net.

He added that the accident should be a wakeup call for the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to investigate not only Florida but all bus companies that may be operating illegally and with bus units that are not road worthy.

The LTFRB issued a 30-day preventive suspension against all the 228 Florida bus units.

The LTFRB also said the ill-fated bus, with plate number TXT-872, was not authorized to operate.

Its engine and chassis number were different from the ones listed under the plate number’s Certificate of Registration filed at the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

On Feb. 10, Mt. Province police filed reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries against the bus company and its driver, Edgar Renon who also survived the crash and has since left the hospital.

Aside from David Sicam, the accident also claimed the life of popular comedian Arvin “Tado” Jimenez.

RELATED STORIES

List of injured passengers in Bontoc bus accident

Bontoc bus crash may have been caused by loose brakes—LTFRB chair

Comedian Tado Jimenez, 2 foreigners among 14 dead in Bontoc bus plunge