Dimple Star Strikes Again!

In July 2013, I lost a close friend when the Dimple Star bus going to Manila from San Jose flipped on the side of the road in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro. The driver of the bus allegedly lost control of the vehicle as it was a rainy night and the road was slippery. The friend I am mentioning was Sister Myrna Suarez, the only fatality, a member of the religious congregation Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Sr. Myrna was on her way to Manila to discuss with her religious superiors the concerns of the Taubuid Mangyan tribal community with whom she worked in Sitio Balangabong, Brgy. Malpalon, Calintan, Occidental Mindoro.

October 2014. A Dimple Star from San Jose, Mindoro with plate number TYS 454 collided with a 10-wheeler truck along the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway in Lipa City, leaving two people dead and 49 others injured. 

June 2017. Fifteen passengers of a Dimple Bus en route to San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro from Calapan were injured after the driver lost control of the vehicle, which served off the national road in Brgy. Nicolas in Magsaysay, according to reports.

And only last night, March 20, 2018, at least 19 people died and 21 others were hurt when, again, a Dimple Star Bus with plate number # TYU 708 with body number 7805 operating in Occidental Mindoro fell into the railing of a bridge in Patrick Pass, near the boundary of Brgy. San Agustin and Brgy. Batong-Buhay in Sablayan town of this province. The bus was traveling from San Jose going to Manila, contrary to the initial report of a Manila-based media network.

In an interview over GMA News as of 8:00AM today, LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada said that the Board is now conducting a franchise verification of the bus company. The action is aimed at determining how many units should be covered by the suspension order. She further added that it usually lasts about 30 days upon receipt of the order.

Arcris D. Canillo of Sablayan LDRRMO released the list of the fatalities early today. The list includes Rudy Bacani, Teresita Dupagan, Elizabeth Dela Cruz, Arno Panganiban, Marciano Ramos, Verginia Ramos, Erwin Ebienga, Lolita Bayle, Lea Borlado, Anselma Gomez, Gilbert Vanguargia Jr., Robert Jose, Gloria Gabuco, Geraldine Tarcena, Cely Pama, Nellie Alvaro, Rodolfo Santiago and Percival Flores. 

The victims were immediately rushed to San Sebastian District Hospital in Sablayan and Mamburao District Hospital. According to Canillo, the bus has around 40 passengers. 

Those injured are Alex Hernandez, Asuela Azula, Normina Lancian, Angela Bayle, Vanessa Bayle, Darwin Robles, John Harvey Perlas, Hanila Bermeo, Von Bayon, Khiera Mae Tulaylay, Raffy Acosta, Jess Driza, Kristine De Jesus, Brandon Perlas, Ace Tulaylay, Madelyn Tulaylay, Allan Sanchez, Mary Jane Dawis Caballes, Jessica Odena and Byron Hugo Burlado.

In the October 2014 incident, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) only suspended 18 units of Dimple Star for the period of just 30 days. It’s high time to investigate the bus company and our local leaders must push for its franchise’s revocation, if deemed necessary.

This bus company is already killing, though unintentionally, the citizens it is supposed to serve. They must compensate the victims the soonest possible time.

The gory accounts coming from the rescuers, the medical authorities, witnesses and the survivors themselves need not be retold here. Certainly, this horrible accident will long be forgotten. As far I could remember, this is the most worst vehicle mishap in our province's history.

Today, I pray for the soul of my friend Sr. Myrna and of those who suffered or died due to Dimple Star’s reckless imprudence, then and now.

If unity can be invoked in festivities, we have to invoke it more in times of tragedy …

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(Photo: Ben Sachez’ FB post)