10 dead after jeepney falls into ravine in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Ten people were killed after a passenger jeepney fell into a  ravine in Libon town, Albay, on Tuesday afternoon, May 21.

Police Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Philippine National Police Bicol spokesperson, said that the incident took place at around 3:30 pm on Tuesday in Sito Hulandig, Barangay San Jose in Libon.

Police Major Ryan Atanacio, Libon police chief, identified two of the passengers killed as Marivic Mota Buendia, 46, the principal of Apud Elementary School; and teacher Ma Suelo Maronilla-Bagulbagul, 41, also from the same school.

Atanacio said on Wednesday, May 22, that the two, along with another public school teacher who hurt in the incident, were n their way home after participating at the Brigada Eskuwela of the Department of Education in their school.

The initial investigation showed that jeepney driver Rolando Olade lost control of the brake, causing the vehicle to fall into the 159-foot ravine. The jeepney, which was headed to Central Poblacion, carried 17 passengers,

“The public utility jeepney fell down on the curve portion after the  vehicle lost its brake and accidentally fell into the deep ravine that resulted to 6 persons dead and 18 other passengers injured,” Calubaquib  said.  

She said the driver fled after the incident. (IN NUMBERS: Road crash incidents in the Philippines)

The injured passengers were rushed to the Pantao District Hospital and to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City for medical treatment.

Police said two of those were killed were siblings – bank teller Jonnel Briones Potencio and his sister, Erica, an 18 year-old student, both from Taguig City.

The others are Carlo Carredo Custodio, 21; Adelina Armillo, 66; Lolita Bonaobra, 60; Teodora Rima, 55; Ma May Rima, 15l and Lina Botor, 36 – all from Bicol.

Six died on the spot. – Rappler.com