Bus driver in EDSA crash was involved in earlier mishap - cops

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Wednesday said that the bus driver blamed for the death of an optometrist in a road accident in Quezon City had already been embroiled in another traffic mishap earlier this year. Superintendent Norberto Babagay, chief of the QCPD Traffic Enforcement Unit, said that Martinito Madrid admitted to police that he previously faced charges of multiple physical injuries after figuring in a road accident last April. “Inamin niya sa akin na na-involve din siya sa isa pang road accident nung April. Nakasuhan pa raw siya ng multiple physical injuries (He admitted to being involved in an April road accident that resulted in him being charged with multiple physical injuries)," he said. Madrid is the driver of the Joanna Jesh-owned passenger bus that hit a Mercedez Benz and two other buses along the northbound lane of the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). Dr Francisco Sarabia, owner of the Sarabia clinic in Marikina City, was charred to death after concerned citizens failed to pull him out of his vehicle, which burst into flames due to the collision. Sarabia’s female companion was hurt in the incident and was rushed to the St. Luke’s Hospital, where she continues to recuperate as of this posting. Investigation showed that Madrid was trying to race with another Joanna Jess bus when his bus bumped Sarabia’s car early Tuesday morning. Madrid has already undergone inquest proceedings for charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to properties. Babagay told GMANews.TV that such road accidents could have been avoided or minimized if drivers are being strictly prohibited from racing with each other on the road. He said that other than the North Luzon Expressway and the South Luzon Expressway, other major roads in Metro Manila do not have speed limits. “Sa tingin ko dapat talaga, mag-set na ang MMDA [Metro Manila Development Authority] ng speed limit sa mga kalsada natin (I think that a speed limit should be set on our roads)," Babagay said. MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando earlier said during a House budget hearing that there is no speed limit in EDSA, for which he received flak from Senior Deputy Minority leader Roilo Golez. This was later contradicted by other government officials who said that there are existing speed limits for EDSA. As an advice, Babagay advice the concerned government agencies like the MMDA and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to enforce a 24-hour law enforcement on busy roads and keep track of bus companies whose buses always figure in accidents. Babagay also said that drivers applying for licenses should first be subjected under a neuropsychological examination. The LTO has already ordered its law enforcement service to intensify patrols during the night to stop bus racing. LTO head Alberto Suansing said he was inviting officials from the Joanna Jesh bus and Commuter Line bus to explain their side regarding the road incident. Drivers of Joanna Jesh are also scheduled to undergo examination. Madrid’s personal records with his employer are also being sought by the LTO. The deadly road incident had also prompted the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to suspend Joanna Jesh Transport buses from two routes. LTFRB chief Thompson Lantion said the bus company’s buses plying the Alabang-Navotas and Alabang-Fairview routes will not be allowed on the road beginning today (Wednesday). Madrid had earlier claimed he attempted surrendering himself to authorities at the National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City but its gates were allegedly “closed." This prompted him to surrender instead to the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal, still in Quezon City. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV