SCORES were rushed to the hospital after a passenger van they were riding collided with another vehicle while traversing along Bukidnon highway yesterday at 12:30 pm.
Police Col. Reynante Reyes, Bukidnon police director, said the incident occurred along Sayre Highway, Barangay Maluko, Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon.
The injured survivors were identified as Neva Jean Arante, 26, a resident of Purok 1, North Maramag town; Minda Bon, 49 of Cabanglasan town; Helen Sayoba, 37, residing at Malitbog town; Arlene Ive Dila Pedra, 37, a resident of Malaybalay City; Blayne Conrad Dila Pedra also of Malaybalay City; and Julia Vedro, a resident also of Cabanglasan town, all of Bukidnon.
They were passengers of a Toyota Hi-Ace Van with MV File no.1001-057012, registered under the name of Paterna Salceda of Bagontaas, Valencia City of the same province.
It was driven by Charlemagne Boquela, a resident of Quezon Bukidnon. When authorities asked for the vehicle’s registration paper, the former was not able to present it.
Two other victims were also injured identified as Rolando Cadalawan, Jr., a resident of Barangay Bayabas, and his passenger identified as Marilou Rojo of Sitio Macanhan, Barangay Carmen, both of Cagayan de Oro City.
They were riding a Suzuki Every Wagon Van with plate no. KAM-4287 registered to Cadawan.
All the survivors were brought to Bukidnon Provincial Hospital Annex at Barangay San Miguel, Manolo Fortich for medical treatment.
According to a police report, the incident happened when a passenger bus, a Pabama Tours loaded with passengers with MV File no.1301-0000107132 driven by Warlito Araneta, a resident of Maramag town of the same province, ran out of control and hit the rear left portion of a private car, a Toyota Vios Sedan.
The said vehicle with plate number VEP-874 was driven by Aldren delos Santos, a resident of Barangay 44, Pasay City, traveling ahead in the same direction.
Araneta, the bus driver, told investigators that he was heading to Kibawe, Bukidnon from Cagayan de Oro City traversing the descending wet road when suddenly the truck’s tires skidded.
Due to the collision, Araneta said he encroached on the opposite lane and bumped another incoming vehicle (Toyota Hi-Ace van).
The same driver said he swerved the steering wheel to the left this time hitting yet another vehicle, the Suzuki Every Wagon Van.
Araneta is currently under the custody of Manolo Fortich police for proper disposition.
He will be facing reckless imprudence resulting in multiple serious physical injuries and damage to properties.
