18 hurt as 2 buses collide in QC

MANILA, Philippines–Around 18 passengers were injured on Monday after a speeding bus rammed into the back of another bus on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

The accident which involved a Joyselle Express bus and an Everlasting Transport bus happened around 5:20 a.m. at the corner of Commonwealth and Central Avenues in Barangay (village) New Era.

Supt. Elly Pintang, head of the Quezon City Police District Traffic Enforcement Unit, said that those injured were passengers of the two buses who suffered minor wounds.

The police learned that before the accident, Johnny Deladias—the driver of the Everlasting Transport bus bound for Philcoa—smashed into the back of the Joyselle Express bus driven by Narciso Benlot.

Pintang said it was possible that the Everlasting Transport bus was speeding, leaving 16 of its passengers injured.

They were identified as Edwin Bustamante, 34; Imee Bustamante, 33; Jovani Soperoles, 25; Mario Coral, 58; Roberto Tungol, 48; Danilo Eufemio, 50; Genmar Carmona, 25; Ferdinand Montero, 39; Manolito Perez, 58; Junjun Manriquez, 36; Felipe Roman, 18; Jason Sabangan, 22; Robert Obiena, 28; Jonathan Bulou, 54; Elmer Santiago, 28; and Johnny Ferrer, 46.

On the other hand, only two from the other bus were hurt. Niel Cijas, 42 and Renato Cia, 22, were treated for slight cuts and bruises. Both bus drivers were unhurt.

Pintang said the bus companies were still negotiating for a possible settlement of the incident.–Julie M. Aurelio