Owner, driver of bus that killed beauty queen, 2 others to be charged Monday

Complaints will be filed on Monday against the operator and driver of the passenger bus that killed three people, including Bb. Pilipinas-International 2009 Melody Gersbach, in Saturday’s road accident in Camarines Sur. The Gersbach family will file the charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property against the owners of Guevarra Bus Line and the bus’ driver, Wilson de los Santos, in Bula, Camarines Sur, according to a report in GMA News’ “24 Oras" Sunday. Gersbach, her driver Santos Ramos and manager Alvin Orense, died on the spot after their Toyota Innova car slammed head-on with a Guevarra bus at Barangay Pawili in Bula town at past 11 a.m. Saturday. The passenger bus reportedly overtook a motorcycle and failed to return to the right lane. De los Santos, who initially attempted to flee the scene, eventually surrendered and is already in police custody, the report said.

Bus owner Cherry Guevarra meanwhile said they are prepared to take responsibility for the accident, and vowed to give financial assistance to the victims’ families. The Camarines Sur accident came just three days after another bus plunged into a ravine along Naguilian Road in Benguet province, killing 42 of its 49 passengers. Wake-up call Malacañang, meanwhile, on Sunday reminded traffic agencies to intensify their efforts to ensure road safety and strictly implement road rules and regulations amid the two accidents. Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma said the two accidents bring to the fore important aspects of road safety, such as the road-worthiness of vehicles, road engineering, and drivers’ qualifications. He said bus companies should provide insurance for their passengers. “Hindi pwedeng isantabi ang mga ito (We cannot just ignore this) in the name of safety of our people who travel everyday," Coloma said. Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang said agencies such as the Land Transportation Office and the Department of Transportation and Communication must strictly enforce traffic rules. “These accidents should serve as a wake up call to our traffic regulators and the agencies to enforce the traffic regulations," he said. - KBK, GMANews.TV