By Niño Luces
LIBON, Albay – A school principal and a teacher were among 10 persons who perished when the passenger vehicle they were riding on lost its brakes in Libon town, Albay and fell into a ravine Tuesday afternoon.
Police Major Ryan Atanacio, chief of Libon Municipal Police Station (MPS) identified the fatalities as Marivic Buendia y Mota, 46, principal 1 at Apud Elementary School in Libon, Albay; Maria. Suelo Bagulbagul y Maronilla, 41, teacher in the same school; Jonnel Potencio y Briones, bank teller and Erica Potencio y Briones, 18, student, both residents of Taguig City; Carlo Custodio y Carredo, 21, of Dugcal Camaligan Camarines Sur; Adelina Armillo y Pintor 66, of Sitio Balinsayawan, Macabugos, Libon, Albay; Lolita Bonaobra y Cadag, 60, of Tabaco City; Teodora Rima y Almazar, 55, of Maramba, Oas, Albay; Ma. May Rima y Almazar, 15 and; Lina Botor y Sanao, 36, of Brgy. Basud, Polangui, Albay,
Those injured were identified as Ma. Celeste Melgar Llona, Kreshia Mae Revale, Almerol Jenica Talabon, Donabel Siaron, and Casmera Medina Pintor.
Atanacio told the Manila Bulletin that the teachers had just come from the Brigada Eskwela activity and were on their way home when the accident happened.
He said the jeepney driven by one Rolando Olade y Casin of Brgy. Caguscos, Libon, Albay lost its breaks while negotiating a curve in Sitio Hulandig, Brgy. San Jose, Libon town and fell into a 200-foot ravine.
Atanacio said at least six passengers died on the spot.
The driver, however, managed to jump before the jeep fell into the ravine but surrendered to the police Wednesday, Atanacio said.