PRRD visits Mindoro bus crash site, victims

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte checks the condition of Jessica Odeña who is confined at the San Sebastian District Hospital in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro on March 23, 2018. Odeña was one of the survivors after a Dimple Star bus figured in a road mishap that left 19 dead and 21 wounded at Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro last Tuesday. Joining the President is Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte went to Sablayan town in Occidental Mindoro Friday to visit the victims of a bus accident that left 19 people dead.

After inspecting the accident site, the Chief Executive also visited some of the victims of the accident, as well as the wake of the fatalities.

According to Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, the President has ordered the arrest of the owner of the Dimple Star bus and those of all “colorum” or illegally operating buses.

“He ordered to arrest the operator and all the ‘colorum’,” Go said in a text message sent to the media.

On Thursday, Malacanang offered its sympathies to the families and friends of victims of the Dimple bus accident.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque urged bus drivers to observe extra caution when plying their routes, especially as more people are expected to visit their provinces during the Holy Week and summer vacation.

He said the Palace will wait for the results of the investigation to find out whether officers of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are also at fault for negligence.

Roque assured that justice for the victims’ families and friends will be served.

To date, the LTFRB has grounded 10 buses of the Dimple Star Bus.