9 dead as bus falls into ravine

CABANATUAN CITY – Nine people were killed while several others were injured yesterday morning when a passenger bus fell into a 20-meter-deep ravine in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija.

Senior Superintendent Napoleon Taas, Nueva Ecija police director, said the D Liner bus, with license plates CWW 643, had left Cabanatuan City and was on its way to Casiguran, Aurora when the driver lost control of the vehicle and plunged into the ravine at Kilometer 8 in Barangay Cadaclan at around 10 a.m.

Two of the fatalities were identified as James Santiago and Rudy Ronquillo. Bus driver Peter Bolingat was among the injured.

The injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals and clinics for treatment.

Pantabangan Mayor Romeo Borja Sr. told The STAR that there were previous complaints that D Liner drivers tend to drive too fast, which is dangerous in the treacherous route along the Pantabangan-Baler Road near the boundary of Nueva Ecija and Aurora.

“Of course, there have been numerous complaints against them,” he said.

Tim Dante, superintendent of the D Liner, said the bus, carrying 50 passengers, fell into the ravine after its brakes malfunctioned while maneuvering a dangerous curve in Cadaclan.

Dante said one passenger, Albaro Tagnas, was able to escape serious injury after he jumped out of the bus before it fell off the road.

He said the site where the bus fell is an accident-prone area where a military vehicle also plunged down another ravine. Dante said rescue operations for the victims were immediately conducted by Nueva Ecija and Aurora authorities. With Ric Sapnu