PITX urges increased security after Nueva Ecija bus shooting

Buses should have additional security features, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITC) said on Friday following a fatal shooting inside a bus in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing, PITX corporate affairs and Government Relations Head Jason Salvador suggested that passengers should only be picked up at terminals.

“Kasi sa isang terminal, at least, nasusuri, na-che-check nang mabuti ang mga bagahe, and then may passenger manifest tayo,” Salvador said.

(Because in a terminal, at least, the baggage is being checked thoroughly and then we have a passenger manifest.)

However, Salvador conceded that some buses could not just pick up and drop off passengers from point to point. He thus suggested using metal detectors on passengers before they enter the bus.

“At least, ma-detect nila kung may dala ba itong metal na subtance na maaaring gamitin weapon sa ibang pasahero," he said.

(At least, they can detect if a person is carrying something metallic that can be used as a weapon against other passengers.)

The Land Transportation, Franchising, and Regulatory Board on Thursday said it would issue a show cause order on Victory Liner to pave the way for a probe on the bus company over the fatal shooting.

According to the bus company, it was cooperating with the Philippine National Police, and their bus driver was considered a witness to the crime.

The video of the shooting incident which was captured on a security camera went viral on social media.

In the video, the suspects can be seen shooting the two victims in the head and neck at close range. After shooting the victims, the suspects got off the bus.

Based on the police report, the bus was traversing a mountainous part of Barangay Minuli, Carranglan when the two suspects shot the victims at 12:50 p.m. on November 15.

The victims were identified as a 60-year-old female from Cauayan, Isabela, and a 55-year-old male from South Cotabato.

According to the police, the son of the female victim is a possible person of interest because she had filed a carnapping charge against him. The son later posted bail.

The son has denied involvement in the fatal shooting.

Improved security 

Meanwhile, Victory Liner Incorporated said it would improve its security measures following the fatal shooting of the two passengers.

"Unang-una, nagpalabas ng kautusan ang ating Department of Transportation Secretary na pahigpitin po yung mga security, hindi lang po sa terminal, kundi sa iba’t iba pa which is a very good thing dahil ito po ay magcre-create ng takot sa mga krininal," said Victory Liner Inc. Communications Head Ricky Rivera on Super Radyo dzBB.

(First of all, our Department of Transportation Secretary issued an order to tighten the security, not only in the terminal, but in other areas, which is a very good thing because this will deter criminals.)

He added that this would also reassure passengers.

"Maganda 'yung atmosphere na hindi sila makakalusot sa kahit anong criminal act," he added.

(It would be good to have an environment in which they won't be able to get away with any criminal act.)

He said that individuals need to be alert and concious of their personal security while taking public transportation.

As for the drivers, they needed to undergo training to know what to do in these types of incidents.

"Na-trauma po talaga [yung driver,] inaamin po namin. Patuloy po yung psychological counseling po ng isang professional company na hinire po namin para dyan, kasi po nakikita niyo naman, kita niyo dun sa CCTV talagang sa una, na-shock yung driver," Rivera said.

(We have to admit that our driver was traumatized. We hired someone to provide psychological counseling because you can see it on the CCTV. The driver was shocked.)

While the investigation is ongoing, the bus company said they would accept and accommodate the government's decision on the matter. — DVM, GMA Integrated News