LTFRB to bus firm: Explain ‘cover-up’ of teen’s death

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) wants a bus company to explain why it allegedly covered up an accident involving one of its units that resulted in the death of a teenager, an official said yesterday.

There was no case filed against Safeway after it allegedly reached a settlement with the girl’s family, but the firm could still be liable for “deliberate concealment of an accident” by not reporting the incident to the board, LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez told The STAR.

The LTFRB yesterday sent lawyer Gonzalo Go Jr. to the wake of the victim, 14-year-old Jessa Magdaluyo, in Barangay Siena, Quezon City, to talk to her family.

Go managed to talk the girl’s father, who said they executed an affidavit of desistance after they reached a settlement with the bus company, which offered P150,000.

Based on a tip received by Ginez’s office, the accident allegedly happened early morning on June 27.

The girl was then about to board a jeepney at the corner of Banawe Road and Quezon Avenue when the jeepney was bumped by the Safeway bus.

Go said the girl was sandwiched between the two vehicles. The impact crushed her head and hips.

Ginez said the board will issue a show cause order to the company on Monday for it to explain why it should not be sanctioned for the accident.