Survivor contradicts Florida Bus lawyer's claim of bad weather during crash

(Updated 11:34 a.m.) A survivor belied the earlier statement of GV Florida Inc.'s legal counsel, Atty. Alex Versoza, that thick fog and bad weather were among the reasons why their bus went over a cliff in Brgy. Bayyo in Bontoc, Mountain Province, claiming the lives of at least 15 people and injuring 31 others.

"Okay naman ang weather, very sunny, hindi naman foggy," said a female survivor, who requested her identity be withheld, in an exclusive interview on GMA 7 news program "24 Oras" Tuesday.



"Wrong siya [si Versoza] kasi wala siya dun. Hindi niya nakita. Hindi naman umulan. Malakas ang araw," she added.

According to the witness, it was past 7 a.m. on Friday, February 7 when they reached Brgy. Bayyo when the passengers noticed the bus was having engine problems.

"Ang narinig ko lang, hindi gumagana 'yung preno, pero slow down siya [ang driver] pagdating namin sa Bayyo, sa view deck," the witness said.

She said she noticed three people flagging down the bus, but it was not able to stop despite the driver repeatedly stepping on the brake. She said the intention to stop for these three people was probably the reason why the door of the bus was opened, enabling the conductor to jump out of the bus before it fell into an approximately 300-foot deep ravine.

"Sabi ng mga kasamahan ko ideretso na lang sa mountain para maibangga. E hindi na narinig [ng driver], lumiko tapos paspas," the witness added.

She then heard an explosion-like sound, after which she lost consciousness.

Investigators later found out that one of the bus' tires blew before it plunged into the ravine.

"Pagkagising ko, nandun na ako sa baba [sa ravine]. Nakita ko lahat ng mga kasamahan ko, duguan," the witness said.

A local of Bontoc, the witness came from Manila to arrange her employment papers for her flight to Israel when the crash happened.

She was supposed to fly to her job on Tuesday, but her injuries kept her in the hospital.

Mt. Province Cable Tours

Meanwhile, Mt. Province Cable Tours owner Norberto Que Sr. granted an interview with GMA News but requested for the interview not to be recorded.

He maintained that the ill-fated bus no longer belonged to his company as it was among the 10 buses he sold to GV Florida in September of last year.

He also denied reports that his company was not assisting the victims.

Que added that on the day of the crash itself, their team had gone to Bontoc to assist the survivors as well as to assist the families of the victims.

Que said he was ready to face any possible charges.

It was earlier admitted by GV Florida that they had bought the ill-fated bus from Mt. Province Cable Tours, and that the plate number on the bus was that for Mt. Province Cable.

Versoza also admitted in earlier interviews that GV Florida was plying the Manila-Bontoc route even without having secured the sale and transfer of franchise requirements from the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

"Tinakbuhan 'yun [Manila-Bontoc route] to meet the public need at para ma-preempt 'yung possible consequence of abandonment of route that will lead to the cancellation of the franchise. Eh, kapag na-cancel 'yung franchise ni Mr. Que, e wala ng mapupunta sa Florida," Versoza, said in Monday interview on "24 Oras."

Meanwhile, Bontoc's police force had filed charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries against GV Florida and its driver Edgar Mendoza Raynon before the Mt. Province Provincial Prosecutor. — Elizabeth Marcelo/DVM/KG/TJD, GMA News