Balamban bus accident: Iranian officials question amount of victims' insurance benefits

CEBU, Philippines – A team of Iranian officials is in Cebu to check on the updates of the investigation into the fatal bus accident in Balamban killing 21 Iranian students and injured 26 oth-ers in June.

Capitol spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda said that the team led by Consul Mohammad Tavana was sent by the president of Iran to ask for the result of the investiga-tion of the Philippine authorities into the accident.

"They want to know what the real cause of the incident was and the president of Iran ganahan nga dalion ang investigation kay mostly sa students came from a rich family," he said.

Sepulveda said that the team, which consists of colonels, was satisfied with the investigation report made by Cebu Provincial Police Office director Erson Digal.

However, they are questioning the P60,000 insurance benefit of each of the victim. According to Sepulveda, Iranian officials compared the amount with their insurance which is allegedly $60,000.

"They are asking sa paagi sa liability and the insurance of each students nga P60,000 sa ato unya sa ila kuno kay $60,000," Sepulveda said.

The officials were also looking for a missing camera from one of the victims.

"They wanted to have the camera maybe their purpose is to alleviate the sorrow of the families of the victims," he said.

Digal together with the representative from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Universal Insurance Transport Agency Incorporated briefed the Iranian officials yesterday.

Digal explained to them the road factor vis-à-vis the lack of signages, vehicle factor which determines the condition of the vehicle during the incident and the human factor which the incident could be a cause of human error.

The team will visit the crash site in Barangay Cansumoroy, Balamban. They will also visit the traffic office and police headquarters.

"Maybe they want to extend their expertise in Iran on what we are lacking here," Sepulveda said.

The group paid a courtesy call to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia at the Capitol yesterday. (FREEMAN)