NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The driver of the passenger bus that figured in an accident that killed 4 people and injured 46 others in Enrique B. Magalona town will be released from police custody on Friday, July 24, authorities said.
Senior Inspector Conrado Rances, Enrique B. Magalona police chief, said on Thursday, July 23, that charges had yet to be filed against Leo Ciocon, the driver of Ceres Bus 5126 that collided with another Ceres bus on its way to Escalante City from Bacolod City on Wednesday.
Rances said that Ciocon would be released from police custody on Friday. “We will release him first thing in the morning tomorrow because the reglementary period lapsed late at night.”
He said Ciocon faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and injuries, but requirements needed to file the case had not been complied with. This includes the death certificates of those killed in the crash, and medical certificates.
Rances also said that the families of the casualties had yet to coordinate with the police for the filing of the charges.
It can be recalled that the driver-suspect tried to overtake the vehicle he was tailing but lost control of the wheel, causing the bus to collide with another bus along the national highway of Barangay Sto. Niño, EB Magalona town on Wednesday.
‘We’ve done everything’
Jade Seballos, legal and media relations manager of Vallacar Transit Incorporated, said that the company is conducting a “thorough investigation and if we can prove that the driver was at fault, he will be terminated.”
She said that the company had conducted training and seminars for its drivers.
“We educated them about their jobs. We can’t understand where we came short,” Seballos said.
She added: “Our operations manager conducts inspections. We have inspectors at the highway and check on the bus. We have traffic marshalls who checks the speed limits.”
Seballos said that the company will extend funeral and financial assistance to the victims and their families.
She also said that the company has yet to receive the show-cause order from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which is conducting an investigation on the fatal accident. – Rappler.com
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