LTFRB suspends operations of 26 Victory Liner buses after Benguet crash

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has imposed a 30-day suspension on the operations of 26 buses of a bus company after two of its units figured in a collision in Tuba, Benguet on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

On Monday, the LTFRB issued a show cause order (SCO) with preventive suspension order against Victory Liner and 26 of its bus units after the road crash that left one dead and dozens injured.

“We already secured a police report of the incident but we will be giving them the opportunity to explain. They were already issued with a show case order and we in the LTFRB expect full compliance,” said LTFRB chair Vigor Mendoza II.

Citing the police’s initial investigation, the LTFRB said a Victory Liner bus headed to La Union was tailing a sports utility vehicle (SUV) as it drove up Marcos Highway when it encountered mechanical problems.

It hit another Victory Liner coming from the oppositive direction and the SUV, before it rammed into a concrete barrier and later flipped over.

One died while 95 others were reportedly injured in the incident.

Mendoza said the bus transport company was asked to explain why its franchise should not be suspended or revoked over the road crash.

Although an investigation will be conducted, the LTFRB said its priority is to ensure the safety of all injured passengers, especially those who are still hospitalized.

“I have already directed our LTFRB Regional Office to check on the condition of the injured passengers and to make sure that their medical needs are properly and immediately responded to,” Mendoza said.

“We are also coordinating with the bus company and the insurance provider to make sure that the insurance payment will be done in the soonest possible time. Hindi pwede na paghintayin pa natin ang mga pasahero (We cannot let the passengers wait),” he added.

In a social media post, Victory Liner said it respects the decision of the LTFRB to impose the 30-day preventive suspension on some of its routes, including the Dagupan-Baguio, PITX-Tuguegarao, and Sta. Cruz, Zambales-Baguio routes.

“Sa aming mga minamahal na pasahero at mga komunidad na aming pinaglilingkuran, taos-puso po kaming humihingi ng paumanhin sa abala at pagkaantalang maidudulot ng pansamantalang suspensyong ito. Nauunawaan namin na maraming manggagawa, estudyante, pamilya, turista, at mga negosyante ang umaasa sa mga rutang ito araw-araw, at lubos naming ikinalulungkot ang anumang hirap na kanilang mararanasan sa panahong ito,” Victory Liner said.

(To our beloved passengers and communities that we serve, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience to be caused by this temporary suspension. We understand that many workers, students, families, tourists, and businessmen depend on these routes, and we are sad over the inconvenience that they might experience at this time.)

The bus firm also extended its sincere sympathies to the family of the passenger who died in the accident, and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

It also asked for the public’s understanding and patience as it cooperates with government agencies in the investigation.

“Lubos na iginagalang ng Victory Liner ang kapangyarihan at mandato ng LTFRB at buong puso kaming makikipagtulungan sa lahat ng itinakdang proseso at rekisito ng pamahalaan. Agad naming isinusumite ang lahat ng kinakailangang dokumento at mahigpit naming sinusunod ang bawat direktibang ipinag-uutos ng mga kinauukulang ahensya,” it said.

(Victory Liner respects the authority and mandate of the LTFRB and we will cooperate with all due processes and requirements of the government. We will immediately submit all needed documents and we will strictly follow every directive to be imposed by concerned agencies.) — JMA, GMA News