Jeepney plunges into ravine in Libon, Albay; 10 die, 18 hurt
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Wed, 22 May 2019 08:08:57 +0000
PEOPLE mill around the ill-fated jeepney which fell into a ravine in Sitio Hulanding, Barangay San Jose, Libon, Albay. (Photo by Libon Municipal Police Station)
CAMP OLA, Albay – A modified passenger jeepney carrying 30 passengers fell off a cliff in Sitio Hulandig, Barangay San Jose in the town of Libon on Tuesday, killing 10 and injuring 18 others.
Police Major Ryan Atanacio, chief of the Libo municipal police station, said the driver lost control of the jeepney while negotiating a steep curve.
Atanacio said the jeepney may have lost its brakes, prompting the driver, identified as Rolando Olade, to jump out before the vehicle plunged into a 159-foot ravine.
“Hindi naman natin masabi na overloaded yun jeep kasi modified siya. So kasya ‘yung 30 na pasahero. ‘Yung cause lang talaga kung bakit naaksidente at may mga namatay ay nawalan ng preno yung jeep,” he said.
Six passengers died instantly while four others passed away while being treated.
Lina Botor, a 36-year-old resident of Barangay Basud in Polangui, died Tuesday night while undergoing treatment at the hospital. She was the latest fatality.
The dead include a school principal and a teacher who just came from a Brigada Eskwela activity at the Apud Elementary School.
They are Marivic Buendia, the 46-year-old principal, and teacher Suelo Bagulbagul, 41.
Two of the fatalities were from Taguig City – Jonnel Potencio, a bank teller, and Erica Potencio, an 18-year-old student.
The other fatalities are Carlo Custodio, 21, of Dugcal Camaligan, Camarines Sur; Adelina Armillo, 66, of Sitio Balinsayawan, Macabugos, Libon; Lolita Bonaobra, 60, of Tabaco City; Teodora Rima, 55, of Maramba, Oas, Albay; and Ma. May Rima y Almazar,15.
The jeepney came from Barangay Pantao and was bound for Poblacion, according to Atanacio.
Hours after fleeing the scene, the jeepney driver surrendered Wednesday morning.
“Andito na siya ngayon. Kakarating lang. May tama din pala sa katawan. Nagpagamot din siya sa ospital. ‘Yung ginawa daw niya, tumakbo muna para naman sa kanyang seguridad kasi alam naman natin, siguradong maraming galit sa kanya,” Atanacio said. (Nino Luces)