MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended operations of 10 buses of Dimple Star Bus on Wednesday, March 21, after a bus crash in Occidental Mindoro that left at least 19 people dead.

The suspension is for a period of 30 days.

Below are the plate numbers of the suspended buses, operating from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro to Manila via Mamburao, Abra de Ilog:

• TYU 708
• TYU 909
• TYU 807
• TYU 707
• TYU 789
• TYZ 800
• TYZ 801
• TYZ 700
• TYZ 881
• PTO 367

The LTFRB required Dimple Star to inspect the roadworthiness of its buses and for drivers to undergo a road safety seminar to be scheduled by the board, within the 30-day suspension.

The Dimple Star bus with plate number TYU 708 fell off Patrick Bridge in Sablayan town around 9:30 pm on Tuesday night, March 20.

The Occidental Mindoro Provincial Health Office said 15 out of the 19 fatalities have been identified while 17 of the 21 injured were admitted to nearby hospitals.

LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada said financial assistance will be provided to the victims. She asked family members to bring the following requirements to fast-track the release of financial aid:

• Single victims – birth certificate and ID of the victim’s parent
• Married victims – marriage certificate and ID of the victim’s spouse

According to the Passenger Accident Management and Insurance Agency (PAMI), Dimple Star figured in 4 other road crashes in the past 7 years.

In 2014, the LTFRB also suspended Dimple Star after a bus with plate number TYS 454 collided with a 10-wheeler truck along the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway in Barangay Bulacnin, Lipa City. The crash left two people dead and 53 others injured.

See the suspension order below: 

– Rappler.com