Bus driver in accident that killed 3 journalists charged

The Pamplona, Camarines Sur police has filed criminal charges against the driver of a bus that collided with a crew cab of television station ABC, killing its three-member news team. The charges — reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property — were filed Camarines Sur provincial prosecutor’s office against Alberto Mendoza, a native of Quezon province. He was driving the Raymond Bus that collided with the Nissan Frontier service pickup of the ABC news crew last Aug. 13. “We released him after no one came forward to file charges against him. But we decided to file the charges. The hearings will determine his innocence or his guilt," dzRH radio quoted the Pamplona police chief, Supt. Edgardo Basa, as saying. Killed in that accident were senior reporter Anna Liza “Hazel" Recheta-Calimag, cameraman Arnel Guiao, and assistant Ismael Cabugayan. The were on the way back to Manila Manila after a week of covering the activity around Mayon Volcano in Albay province. According to the police, the ABC Nissan Frontier had just overtaken a vehicle when witnesses heard what they thought was an explosion. The pickup then lost control and collided with the bus. The bus driver surrendered to authorities immediately after the accident. Meanwhile, the members of the news crew were laid to rest over the weekend after completing what ABC called their “final assignment." “We have every reason to be proud of Hazel, Arnel and Ismael and we are grateful for what they have contributed to our news and public affairs goals of serving our people and making a difference in their lives," the ABC management said in its obituary for the three. Guiao was buried Saturday at the Serenity Memorial Park after the 1 p.m. Mass at the Amparo Novaville Chapel. Cabugayan was to be buried at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Our Lady of Eternal Peace in Muzon, San Jose del Monte in Bulacan. Recheta-Calimag was to be cremated Sunday at 3 p.m., after a wake service at 2 p.m. Her remains will then be brought to her home city of Tuguegarao in Cagayan. - GMANews.TV