Dimple Star bus in Mindoro mishap sourced from junk shop

The wreckage of the Dimple Star bus, which figured in a road tragedy leaving 19 people dead and 21 others wounded in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro last Tuesday. President Duterte visited the accident site on March 23, 2018. PALACE PHOTO / Robinson Niñal Jr.

The Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) was shocked to learn that the Dimple Star bus that figured in an accident in Occidental Mindoro last March was sourced from a junk shop.

In hearing held Wednesday, Dimple Star Transport owner Gilbert Napat admitted that the bus that claimed 19 lives and left 21 others injured on March 20, was built using scrap or chopped-up parts.

The bus fell into a 15-meter deep ravine in the town of Sablayan.

READ:  19 dead, 21 hurt in Occidental Mindoro bus crash

Napat claimed that they re-conditioned the engine and had the chassis of the bus repainted to make it look “brand-new.”

The LTFRB said that the Mindoro bus accident pointed out the need to modernize public utility vehicles.

The operation of Dimple Star Transport has remained suspended as the rest of the company’s bus fleet are being inspected for safety. The LTFRB has also required Dimple Star Transport bus drivers to undergo drug testing.

Dimple Star Transport operates the San Jose, Occidental Mindoro to Manila route via Abra de Ilog, through a roll-on/ roll-off (RORO) ferry system. with a report from Jong Manlapaz/Radyo Inquirer   /muf