Death toll in Antique bus crash climbs to 17

Kalibo, Aklan (CNN Philippines, December 6) — The number of reported dead after a passenger bus fell off a cliff in Barangay Fabrica in Hamtic, Antique on Tuesday has risen to 17, the provincial government said.

In an interview with CNN Philippines’ Balitaan, Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao said 13 were dead on the spot, while three more died in the hospital.

However, one of the eight passengers who were in critical condition due to head injuries already died, she said.

Among those killed were the bus driver, conductor, and line inspector of the Ceres Liner bus, its operator Vallacar Transit Inc. confirmed in a statement Wednesday morning.

Some of the injured passengers were brought to the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital.

The bus was reportedly headed for San Jose de Buenavista, Panay.

“Maybe there’s a problem with the design of the road, or on the part of the buses,” Cadiao said, recalling a statement from a passenger that the bus may have lost its brakes.

Cadiao said the provincial government will shoulder all their hospital expenses.

«For the families, it's not right for me to say 'don't worry.' But we'd like to assure you that whatever hospitalization, medicines, and what they need we will take care of that,» the governor said in a video statement posted on Facebook.

Cadiao added that she will release an initial financial assistance worth ₱20,000 to help the victims' families.

Local authorities have yet to determine the cause of the incident.

Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza said he already directed the regional director of LTO-Western Visayas to launch an investigation.

All LTO regional directors were also ordered to boost the conduct of road worthiness inspection, as well as the «no registration, no travel» policy.

Vallacar Transit Inc. said the incident was immediately reported to the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The company added that it would work closely with the government's investigation.

«In coordination with the LTFRB Region 6, the management has decided to voluntarily suspend all operations of the 12 remaining units under the franchise involving Case No. 11-VI-021-AK