3 die, 38 hurt as bus falls into ravine

PAGBILAO, Quezon, Philippines – Three persons died while 38 others were injured when a passenger bus fell into a ravine here before dawn yesterday.

The Raymond Transportation bus (EVR-404) reportedly swerved to avoid an approaching truck as it was negotiating a zigzag road in Barangay Silangang Malicboy, said Senior Superintendent Ronald Ylagan, chief of the Quezon provincial police.

Ylagan said the road was slippery due to heavy rains. He said the bus driver, Claudio Dado, 41, lost control of the wheel at around 3:30 a.m.

Police identified the victims as Nestor Vendivel Sr., 62, and his son and namesake Nestor Jr., 18, and Renan Destacamento, 34.

The younger Vendivel and Destacamento died at the scene while Vendivel Sr. was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Dado was taken to the Quezon Medical Center in Lucena City, along with the injured passengers, for treatment of injuries.

Chief Inspector Von June Nuyda, town police chief, said they were investigating the incident.

 He said police officers, along with representatives from the local government and Raymond Transportation were retrieving the bus as of press time.

20 hurt as jeep falls off bridge

In Iloilo, 20 persons were injured when a passenger jeepney fell off a bridge in Tigbauan town on Saturday.

Investigation showed the jeepney (FWE-924) was heading to Iloilo City from Miag-ao town when it figured in an accident along the Sinalom Bridge in Barangay 9.

The passengers were brought to the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao district and West Visayas State University Medical Center in Jaro district, both in Iloilo City, and to the Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital in Guimbal town.

Among the victims were jeepney driver Jose Rolly Fildad, 32, and his passengers Sonia Medola, 65; Ricardo Nuñal, 48; and Armando Espera Jr., 37.

Fildad said the vehicle developed engine trouble as they were crossing the bridge. He said he was not speeding. – With Jennifer Rendon