By Jennifer P. Rendon
Eleven passengers sustained minor injuries when the bus they were riding went off course and hit a residential property in Mambusao, Capiz, early in the evening on June 8.
Master Sergeant Allan Occeño, Mambusao traffic police investigator, reported that the victims were taken to the hospital and none required confinement.
The passengers were identified as Aireen Osita, 37, of Barangay Acbo, Sigma, Capiz; Ronie Bico, 49, and Benjie Gonzales, 43, both of Calinog, Iloilo; Evangeline Paitone, 52, and her 11-year-old companion, both of Patnongon, Antique; and Jocelyn Francisco, 61, of Sapian, Capiz. Other passengers included Mark Angelo Bautista, 19, of Mambusao, Capiz; Johanna, 17, of Banga, Aklan; Johnny Emen, 21, of Buruanga, Aklan; Koben del Carmen, 25, of Ibajay, Aklan; and Edmark Golez, 21, of Sapian, Capiz.
The bus driver, 40-year-old Rodolfo Deseo from Roxas City, Capiz, was physically unhurt during the incident.
According to reports, the Ceres Bus (license plate LYH781) came from Kalibo, Aklan, and was on its way to Iloilo City when the incident occurred.
As it was negotiating a curve along Barangay Bula, Mambusao, around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, the bus swerved due to the slippery road condition following heavy rain.
Its rear portion hit the fence and a parked vehicle of a roadside house. The bus then flipped onto its left side.
Occeño said the driver was held in police custody but was released after 12 hours.
