Criminal raps filed vs Don Mariano bus, driver

MANILA, Philippines - The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) on Tuesday filed charges of multiple homicide, and reckless imprudence resulting in physical injury and damage to property against the driver of a passenger bus that fell off the Skyway in Parañaque City early Monday and crashed on a closed van killing 18 persons and injuring 16 others.

HPG investigator Senior Police Officer 2 Isidra Dumlao said the charges were filed before the Parañaque City Prosecutor's Office against bus driver Carmelo Calatcat and the owner of the ill-fated bus, Don Mariano Transit Corp.

Dumlao also told the Star that 12 of the 18 persons killed in the accident have been identified. They were Jean Angelique Cadiz, Joey Esponilla, Marie Ann Superio, Roger Orquejo, Arnold Jimenos, Roberto Bautista, Russel Constantino, Richard Gaveria, Ricardo Gonzales, Rolly Bores, Ramon Labang and Rodel Tolentino.

Police earlier said the Don Mariano bus (UVC-916) driven by Calatcat and plying the Novaliches-Pacita route, was cruising on the Skyway toward Alabang when it fell some 30 meters off the Skyway in Barangay Marcelo Green at around 5:30 a.m. and crashed on the closed van (ULX-874) which was travelling northward on the Liway West Service Road below.

"Based on the account of witnesses, the bus was speeding when it apparently lost control, swerved and hit the wall of the skyway, flipped-up and crashed on the van," Dumlao said.

According to Dumlao, the surface of the Skyway was wet as it was raining when the accident happened. Dumlao added that the front wheels of the bus were also badly worn out.

Dumlao said Calatcat and the injured van driver, Gilbert Montellana were rushed to the Parañaque Doctors Hospital for emergency treatment.

The van and the bus were later towed to the HPG SLEX sub-office in Parañaque City for investigation.