Bus driver goes amuck at Caloocan city hall

MANILA, Philippines - A bus driver drove into the Caloocan city hall complex, tried to ram his vehicle into the police detachment and attempted to stab a policeman yesterday.

Antonio Curib reportedly wanted to go to the city government’s social welfare department (SWD), where his wife and son sought refuge, according to bus conductor Marlon Cortez.

A source said Curib’s wife sought the assistance of local social workers to stop her husband’s beatings.

City hall security guard Jhunnie Calboneros said he and fellow guard Jomir Francisco were manning the guardhouse leading to the SWD when Curib tried to drive his bus, which belongs to First North Luzon-Johnna Jesh, onto the city hall grounds.

“I tried to stop him but he would not listen. He said he would ram his bus into the police station (beside the SWD) if he is not allowed to go to the SWD,” Calboneros said.

He said Curib locked the doors of the bus, with Cortez inside, and threatened everyone on sight. “I immediately called Police Officer 3 Rodelio Andales, who was inside the station, to seek help,” Calboneros said.

Andales said he told Cortez to allow him inside the bus so he could talk to Curib. Once inside, the suspect swung a knife at the police officer but the latter was able to step back.

“The suspect made the sign of the cross before attacking me again. I was already at the entrance of the bus (with the doors still closed) so I had nowhere to go… that was when I decided to shoot him in the arm to neutralize him,” said Andales.

The bullet pierced Curib’s right arm and went through his stomach. Curib was confined at the Caloocan Medical Center (CMC).

High on drugs?

Investigators said only the doctors at CMC can determine whether Curib was high on drugs, but the security guards and Andales said the suspect “looked disoriented.”

Cortez told probers that Curib was texting while they were plying their route. He said they were on their way to Letre in Malabon from FTI in Taguig when the suspect told him to transfer their passengers.

After the passengers transferred to another bus, Curib drove to the Caloocan city hall. Cortez said Curib wanted to go to the SWD office after he found out where his wife and son were hiding.

Charges of attempted homicide will be filed against Curib.

It was unclear whether Andales will be charged, but another police officer said Andales was given commendations after he killed two robbers on separate occasions in 2002.