Reports said that 16 persons were killed when a Victory Liner passenger bus with license plate number CVW-969 collided with a mini-bus and a passenger jeepney with license plate number ADG-738 along the national highway at barangay Rabon, San Fabian, Pangasinan at 7 p.m. last Saturday.
The fatalities were identified as Moses Tikchap, driver of the passenger jeepney and a resident of Loakan, Baguio City; Cipriana Camfult, Jasmin Camfult, Marlyn Tikchap, Sharon Ballocanag, Sally Umanag, Marion Tikchap, Ming Fee Lidchong, Mary Joy Marzan, Venus Banggalat, Venus Canayon, Christina Piaong, Josefa Waknang, Colea-en Gimpao, Linda Waknang, and Velensugo Canayon.
Police authorities said that at least 19 other injured passengers of the ill-fated jeepney were rushed to hospitals in Dagupan City, Agoo, and San Fernando City in La Union to undergo treatment.
Six other injured victims from the Victory Liner bus were also taken to nearby hospitals.
Investigations disclosed that the Victory Liner bus was overtaking a mini-bus when it collided with the approaching passenger jeepney on the opposite lane.
Reports also said that the driver of the Victory Liner escaped after the incident.
Meanwhile, seven persons were killed while 11 others were injured in an accident involving another passenger bus and a passenger jeepney in Atimonan, Quezon last Saturday.
The fatalities included Myrna Par Camara, 49; Lamberto Camara Espino, 65; Juanita Vallesteros, 25; John Carlo Pinera, 19; Juanito Vallesteros, 55; Corazon Gautani and Bernardo Villa, 40, all passengers of the ill-fated jeepney with plate number DGR-536.
The injured passengers were Ruel Villarama, 19; Joan Farco, 19; Rechell Rubiales, 16; and Aileen Aguilar, 22, all jeepney passengers; and Aida Mapa, 55; Viviana Noyan Lumukso, 57; Salvador Fasculado, 35; Juliana Florendo, 74; Pacincia Ansaoas, 79; Melodia Collado, 28; and Joy Albuera, 25, who were reportedly on board the Silver Star bus with license plate number DUX-905.
Police have launched manhunt operations against the driver of the Bicol-bound Silver Star bus who fled after the accident.
Chief Supt. Jesus Versoza, PNP Regional Office 4-A director, said they are now coordinating with officials of JAM Transit Inc. in an attempt to establish the identity of the bus driver.
SPO1 Godofredo Patino, officer on case, said the Silver Star bus was overtaking four vehicles when it suddenly lost control, causing it to hit the passenger jeepney along Maharlika Highway, barangay Balubad, Atimonan, Quezon at 5:45 p.m. last Saturday.
The passenger jeepney reportedly came from Gumaca and was bound for Atimonan when the incident occurred.
18 die, 19 hurt in Pangasinan
SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan – Death came like a genocide so bitter and tragic to the families of 18 persons who just enjoyed a whole day frolic on a beach here the other day.
At least 19 others were seriously injured in the fatal road mishap at 7 p.m. Saturday night along the national highway in barangay Rabon here.
The victims, including the driver, all from Loakan, Baguio City, were bound for home when their jampacked jeepney with plate No. ADG 783, collided head-on with a speeding Victory Liner bus with plate No. CVW 969 on the opposite direction to Dagupan City.
The bus, driven by Senecio A. Panitan Jr. of Sta. Cruz, Zambales, was overtaking a mini-bus when it collided with the passenger jeepney, initial reports said.
Killed on the spot were Moses Tikchap, driver of the ill-fated jeepney; Cipriana Camfuli, Jasmin Camfuli, Marlyn Tikchap, Sharon Ballocanag, Sally Umanag, Marion Tikchap, Ming Fee Lidchong, Mary Joy Marzan, Venus Banggalat, Venus Canayon, Crispina Piaong, Josefa Wacnang, Colea-en Gimpac, Linda Wacnang, and Valensugo Canayon.
Two other victims, Maryann Macyon and Ofelia Macyon, perished at a hospital in Agoo, La Union where they were taken by their companions on board another passenger jeepney. Motorists who witnessed the accident also helped in transporting the victims to the hospital.
San Fabian chief of police Chief Insp. Genaro Sapiera said the wounded were rushed to different hospitals in La Union.
They were identified as Chinaltan Miguel, Dixon Macyon, Brix Suyoten, Noel Tiaong, Gerald Umanan, Fernando Basao, Karen Umanag, Shemary Umanag, Regine Camfuli, Michael Tikchap, Errol Basao, Jome Umanag, Delfin Macyon, and Geraldine Libso, all from Loakan, Baguio City.
Baguio City Mayor Braulio Yaranaoan expressed grief over the accident.
Witnesses said the Victory Liner bus driver escaped immediately after the accident. He is now the subject of a police manhunt. (Orly Guirao and Renato Remogat)
