10 students hurt in road mishap

CEBU, Philippines — A school bus fell on its side after it was hit by a military truck that consequently sent at least 10 students and the driver to the hospital for minor bruises Thursday morning.

The bus was reportedly travelling along M. Logarta Avenue, Mandaue City with at least 10 students aged 13 to 17 years old.

Meanwhile, the military truck was travelling from the opposite direction  going to R. Cabahug Street.

Initial investigation revealed that, when both of the vehicles reached the intersection, the military truck’s front side bumper hit the back part of the school vehicle resulting it to flip over.

“Hindi ko naman sinasadya na ganun ang mangyari.  Sa akin naman, bali nasa position sana ako, kaso lang hindi magbigayan kasi intersection yun eh,” Staff Sergeant Andres Rubines Jr., AFP member and military truck’s driver, told reporters.

Rubines added that since the intersection doesn’t have a stop light, both of them have no way to communicate whoever will be going first.

“Nakita ko sya (bus) malayo pa. Yung takbo nya mabilis.  Sa akin, may kabilisan din,” Rubines said.

According to him, the bus driver continued to speed off and did not even attempt to slow down even upon seeing the military truck approaching with the same level of speed.

“Ako nalang nag-brake. Pag-brake ko nasagi nya yung bumper ko,” Rubines said.

Rubines also said that there was no traffic enforcer at that time since it was still early in the morning. He added that they were travelling from their deployment as security presence in the Simbang Gabi.

Their deployment for Simbang Gabi at the Sto. Rosario church and Sto. Niño Basilica church starts at 3 a.m. He claimed that he has been driving since 2001.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Judito Dinglasa of the Mabolo Police Station, who is investigating the incident, said they have yet to verify who between  the two drivers were at fault since they have not talked to the bus driver yet after he was rushed to the hospital for sustaining minor injuries.

At present, Rubines is now under the custody of the Mabolo Police Station since he is under investigation.

Rubines said he is willing to apologize to the victims and that they are ready to offer financial assistance if they will need such. /GAN (FREEMAN)