Passengers mostly children: Bus falls off cliff, over 30 injured

CEBU, Philippines - Over 30 people, mostly children aged 4 to 16 years old, were injured after the mini-bus they were riding on fell off a cliff in Barangay Quiot, Cebu City yesterday morning.

The green and yellow Mitsubishi Canter, with plate numbers SJC 300, owned by Barangay Basak-Pardo, was on its way to the Scalabrini Noviciate, a retreat house located in San Carlos Heights, an uphill residential area when the accident happened at 9 a.m.

Basak-Pardo councilman Ivy Pacaña, one of the passengers of the bus, said the 28 children in the bus were to attend a seminar on Development of Self Esteem on Children, sponsored by the Barangay Council on the Protection of Children of Basak Pardo. Accompanying the group were two barangay staff, four Sangguniang Kabataan officers and two women who have daughters attending the seminar, Pacaña added.

Luckily, all the passengers, including bus driver Cristiniano Palabrica, 44, survived the accident with only minor cuts and bruises. Palabrica is now under police custody.

Palabrica was negotiating an uphill portion of the road when he lost control of the vehicle, saying the breaks stopped working. The bus first hit a riprap before it fell off the cliff and into a 20ft. deep ravine.

Palabrica said it was all an accident and that the bus was in very good condition, adding that he has been driving the bus for a year now and that he has been taking care of the vehicle himself. He explained that everything happened very fast and he remembered shouting that the gear was not working.

At least 37 of the passengers who suffered bruises and minor fractures were rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center. Four of them were admitted while some were later released.

Victims Josie Rose Pacaña, 4; Jolina Dela Cruz, 20; and Cerila Pasok, 36, and a certain Jermae Fat, 12 are still in the hospital but are not in serious condition, said Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak.

Pacaña said they offered to disembark from the vehicle and just walk after noticing that Palabrica found it difficult to maneuver the vehicle uphill. Palabrica's wife, who was also with the group, was among those who told the driver to let them off the vehicle.

However, the driver allegedly replied that he can manage the uphill climb and shortly after, the accident happened.

“Nakatangas na man gud ko ato, apiki na iatras,” Palabrica said.

He, however, defended himself from talks that he was reckless by saying that his wife and two daughters were also in the vehicle and were among those who were injured.

Dennis Libardo, a resident of San Carlos Heights who lives close to the crash site, told The Freeman that he heard two loud crash sounds before he heard the pleas for help from the children.

“Duha ka kusog na buto nagsunod. Human kadunggog na mi nag shagit ug tabang, tabang. Luoy kaayo paminawn,” said Libardo.

He said the residents immediately ran toward the area to help and the police and the Basak Pardo Rescue Unit arrived shortly thereafter.

SPO1 Dionisio Galo of the Traffic Patrol Group said the accident was a case of human error.

“Niatras unta ka og balik una ka ningsaka para makahunat ka. Nag-fail na nuon ka og pag-apply sa primera kay nag-second gear ka dayon,” said Galo while showing a sketch to the driver.

The injured passengers include Pacaña and Palabrica's daughters, Maria Niña Jane, 12, and Cristina, 13; Raul Jaba, Jr., 8; Geradline Flores, 15; Shiva Marie Medrano, 13; Carla Ebrado, 11; Clark Ebrado, 12; Jaylord Flores, 10; Miralona Ronia, 13; Baby Angel Nedamo, 15; Karen Regodo, 12; Francis Benedict Carticiano, 10; Jay Bryan Badayos, 16; Shaira Baruan, 11; Kristine Morisal, 13; Mary RC Abante, 16; Vince Gilbert Esler, 13; Catherine Pasok, 9; Joan Pelletin, 11; Josephus Bun-an, 25; and Dexter Apao, 27.

Eight-year-old Jaba said that when the bus fell, he was thrown out of the window and landed near a banana tree, which saved him from falling into the deeper part of the ravine.

Jenny Rose Badayos, Kyle Badayos, Mary Clare Beroya, Sandra Nacorda, Juliet Flores, Shane Ashley Baruel, Angelie Celianto, Joy Principe, Michael Arevalo were also injured in the accident.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama directed Basak Pardo barangay officials to put up a medical express lane in case any of the passengers complain of feeling unwell.

“Bisan pa ug gidala na sila sa CCMC (Cebu City Medical Center), duna man gyud nay dili mutug-an sa ilang gibati. Maayo ng naay standby doctors and medics aron matan-aw sila labi na kanang magsakit ang ulo ug magsuka,” Rama yesterday told reporters after visiting the victims brought to the city-owned hospital.

The city government shouldered the hospitalization and medication of victims. Rama guaranteed that if the vehicle was bought during his time as mayor, it is most likely brand new and not surplus.

“Surplus? Dili na batasan sa akong administration. If we see that we have sufficient funds, brand new gyud na atong paliton,” he said. — with Jessa J. Agua/QSB (FREEMAN)