5 dead, 7 hurt as bus slams into parked truck

LIBMANAN, Philippines—Five persons died while seven others were injured when the bus they were riding slammed into a 10-wheel truck here on Wednesday, according to police.

The bus, Bragais Liner with license plate EVP 126, was being driven by Joey Bernas, 42, on the way to Manila from Legazpi City when it slammed into the truck, with license plate TGC 353, that was parked on the roadside in Barangay (village) Bical past 4 a.m., said Supt. Vicente Marpuri, this town’s police chief.

Armando Orea, 62, a resident, said he heard a loud thud outside his home in Barangay Bical and checked. He said he saw the bus lying on its side with seats strewn on the road.

Orea said he saw people wailing and asking for help, adding that he shivered in horror after seeing what happened.

Marpuri said the bus driver Bermas could not have seen the parked truck, loaded with steel bars, as he was approaching a curb on the Maharlika Highway. The truck, driven by Michael Ochoa, was on its way to Milaor town, when it encountered a mechanical problem.

When interviewed by the Inquirer at the Libmanan police station, Bermas said he miscalculated the distance between his bus and the truck on the curb.

“I saw the truck, but it was already too late,” said the bus driver.

Marpuri identified the fatalities as Alexander Belen, of Bacacay, Albay; Arceli Dacuyo and her son Kevin, 2, of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan; Jason Bonita, of Tabaco City; and Cydie Garcia, of Marikina City. Their bodies were brought to Atienza Funeral Parlor in Libmanan.

The injured passengers were brought separately to the Libmanan District Hospital, Sipocot District Hospital and Bicol Medical Center in Naga City for treatment.

Ruel Alsisto, director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Bicol, said Carmen Bragais, owner of Bragais Liner, complained to the LTFRB office on Wednesday against the truck, saying it was parked without an early warning device.

Alsisto said the franchise of Bragais Liner would expire in 2016.

Marpuri said the bus driver is under investigation.

The whole right side of the bus was dislodged by the collision.

The bus was carrying vacationers on a long Lenten break from work, which starts today until Easter Sunday.