15 buses suspended after girl’s death

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended 15 Safeway buses yesterday after one of them killed a 14-year-old girl in Quezon City on Sunday.

The suspension order will be in effect from the time it is received by the bus firm, LTFRB spokesperson Mary Ann Salada said.

All Safeway buses will have to be tested for roadworthiness and the firm’s bus drivers will have to undergo drug tests and attend a road safety seminar before the suspension order is lifted, she added.

“This is a preliminary suspension without prejudice to further sanctions, which will mean preventive suspension or even cancellation of the franchise,” Salada said.

LTFRB board member Ariel Inton said bus driver Lorie Gallarda will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Ely Pintang, chief of the Quezon City Police District-District Traffic Enforcement Unit, said a representative of the bus firm donated P155,000 and settled the funeral expenses of the victim, Abby Cunanan.

The victim and her friend, Rainer Castro, were crossing EDSA when the accident happened.