12 dead as bus rams into acacia tree

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Twelve residents of Sta. Rosa, Laguna on their way home after holding a visita iglesia or church tour in Baguio City were killed and 25 others were injured in a vehicular mishap along the Marcos Highway in La Union before dawn yesterday.

Paeng Valencia, chief of the rescue group 911-On-Call, said eight of the pilgrims died on the spot when the PGM Love Bus unit they were riding lost its brakes and rammed into an acacia tree in Barangay Palina, Pugo town. The rest died in the hospital.

Ten of the victims were identified as Warlito Sayoco, Luiza Gasapos, Martin Lydia, Ines Bañes, Pamela Tanya Africa, Eleuteria Reyes, Liberia Reyes, Mikhael Reyes, Mercedita Reyes, and Isabelita Reyes.

Valencia said the bus had over 40 passengers, including children.

The bus driver, Silvestre Binay, suffered injuries and was brought to the La Union Medical Center in Agoo town.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Alberto Suansing said he would verify if PGM Love Bus has a franchise from his agency and if it does, this would be suspended for 30 days pending an investigation. – With Jun Elias and Renir Padua