LTFRB suspends 43 buses from companies in deadly Quezon smashup

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended on Monday 43 units of the three bus companies involved in the deadly smashup that killed 20 people in Atimonan, Quezon on Saturday.

"As of today, we have suspended 43 units from three bus companies involved in the Atimonan accident. The 30-day preventive suspension is initially based on the reports we have gathered,” LTFRB Executive Director Roberto Cabrera said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.

Cabrera said 35 units of Superlines buses, six buses of Bicol Isarog and two of BLTB Co. buses were suspended for 30 days.

Cabrera said the board is conducting its own investigation on the incident which also injured 57 other people. An initial police report said the accident happened at around 1:30 a.m. when a trailer truck lost control while driving along a wet steep road. The truck hit a bus which caused multiple collisions with six other vehicles.

”Depending on the results of our parallel investigation, it (30-day suspension) could be raised to 60 months or even revocation of the franchise, it depends really on the probe,” he said.