Boy killed, 2 injured in another bus mishap in Negros Occidental

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Two days after a bus crash in EB Magalona town that claimed the lives of 4 people and injured 46 others, another Ceres bus figured in an accident in Valladolid town on Friday afternoon, July 24.

This time, the accident killed a 7-year-old boy and injured his 6-year-old sister and mother, who were hit by the bus.

Police identified the fatality as Mark Stephen Ayanong, while the injured were Chloe Maxim and their 40-year-old mother Arlene. They are from Barangay Mabini, Pulupandan.

Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion, officer-in-charge of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said that the mother and her children were crossing the pedestrian lane in front of Francisco Infante Memorial High School at Barangay Mabini, Valladolid, when Ceres bus 5121 hit the victims at around 1 p.m.

The bus was driven by Leonilo Jordan, 38, of Hacienda Antolanga, Isabela town.

The victims, who sustained multiple head and body injuries, were brought to Valladolid District Hospital and were transferred to Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Bacolod City.

The boy died at 4:54 p.m.

The bus driver is now detained at Valladolid Municipal Police Station, pending the charges to be filed against him.

Mass held

The Vallacar Transit Incorporated (VTI), which owned the two Ceres buses involved in the collision on Wednesday, conducted a mass at the Bacolod North Terminal in Bacolod City and offered a prayer during the wreath laying and candle lighting at Barangay Sto Niño, EB Magalona, Friday morning.

Jade Seballos, VTI legal and media relations manager, said that VTI will extend P100,000 to the families of the victims who died from the accident.

Seballos further said that some of the injured victims are already in a stable condition, adding that 7 of them were already discharged from the hospital.

Seballos said that the thorough investigation to be conducted by the company will start Saturday, July 25, adding that the driver will be terminated if found guilty.

She said that the company will not tolerate reckless drivers.

Driver Leo Ciocon, 40, of Talisay City, was released from police custody Friday after charges for reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and multiple injuries were not filed in the 36-hour reglementary period.

Ciocon was driving the bus on the way to Escalante City from Bacolod City when he lost control of the wheels after he failed to overtake from the vehicle in front of him, which caused the bus to fall on its side in the middle of the national highway at EB Magalona town.

The incoming bus bound for Bacolod City from Victorias City rammed into the fallen bus. – Rappler.com