14 killed in Bataan bus mishap

BALANGA, Bataan — Fourteen people were killed while many others were injured after a mini bus plowed into a waiting shed in Mariveles town yesterday.

Initial reports said the accident involved two mini-buses trying to overtake each other on their way to Mariveles to pick up waiting workers of the Bataan Economic Zone (BEZ).

The accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. when a "Five Brothers" mini-bus, driven by Pablo Niño, lost control, bumped the Peñafrancia Liner mini-bus which then plowed into a waiting shed in Barangay Lucanin, instantly killing six people.

Police said the impact of the collision caused the Peñafrancia Liner minibus to plunge into a deep roadside ravine, resulting in more deaths and injuries.

Bataan police director Senior Superintendent Sahiron Salim said the driver of the "Five Brothers" bus was among those killed.

Salim said five people, identified as Mering Valencia, Neri Prejoles, Benjamin Buensuceco, Mary Obra and Christine Obra, waiting for a bus inside the shed when the bus hit them.

Salim identified the other fatalities as Mering Prejoles, Fernando Mercado, Susan Enriquez, Annabelle Bereno, Jennifer Bongco, Rigor Yulo, Helen Javier and six-year old Jerwin Ferrer.

Initial reports said as many as 65 people were injured with most of the victims still in critical condition. Some victims were reported to have lost arms and legs in the accident.

Eight of the victims were last reported to be in critical condition at the Bataan General Hospital, at least 17 people at the Isaac-Catalina Medical Center, seven at the Bataan Doctors’ Hospital and two at the St. Joseph Hospital.

The rest were brought to various clinics in the province for treatment.

Among those identified to have been injured were Maximo Cadera Jr., Rennal Clavel, Jenifer Licda, Ederlyn Valencia, Maribel Inopia, Carmelita Figuracion, Maria Jesusa, Elvira Bagsic, Cynthia Matunday, Crisanto Budanio, Angelita Mateo, Cris Dungo, Jo Cris Agustin, Jose Marie Angeles, Bella Galicia, Emily Valencia, Corazon Gatdula, all confined at the Isaac-Catalina Medical Center.

Confined at the Bataan General Hospital were Noel Lucanin, Elena Agoncillo, Arlene Lamao, Michael Bantungan, Annabelle Bemno, Reina Abogado and Evelyn Pangan.

Confined at the Bataan Doctors’ Hospital were Arlina Cabital, Jose Marie Angeles, German Guinto, Angelita Pangan, Glenda Ormo and Catherine Flores.

Salim said an investigation is under way to determine the culpability of the operators of the bus companies involved in the accident. - With Ric Sapnu