Driver in Bontoc bus mishap freed on bail

By Charlie Lagasca and Raymund Catindig 

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The bus driver of the GV Florida Transport, Inc. who figured in a road accident here that left 14 persons dead, was released from jail after posting a P50,000 bail Feb. 21.

A Bontoc court, which is hearing the case of Edgar Renon, driver of the Florida bus that fell of a ravine in Barangay Talubin, has ordered his release from jail.

Renon was arraigned on the same day on charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and serious physical injuries. 

The court earlier set the bail at P80,000 for Renon’s temporary liberty. The amount was reduced to P50,000 after it granted the motion to reduce bail filed by Renon’s lawyers from the Public Attorney’s Office and from the bus company.

Rey Luis of Florida Transport said it was their company that provided the bail. 

“It was our company lawyer, accompanied by representatives from the Mt. Province Cable Tours, who posted the bail,” Luis said. 

Florida Transport reportedly acquired the franchise of Cable Tours without the authorization of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), making the unit liable for the accident.

The LTFRB summoned the two bus firms for the hearing on the Bontoc incident last Feb. 19, after investigations showed the chassis number and license plate of the Florida bus belong to Dagupan Bus Lines and Mt. Province Cable Tours, respectively.

The Cagayan Valley-based Florida Transport is currently serving its 30-day suspension of operations imposed by the LTFRB a day after the mishap, pending investigation of the incident.

The LTFRB, along with Renon as well as police investigators and representatives from Florida Transport, will conduct an ocular inspection and hearing at the crash site on Feb. 28.

Aside from the 14 fatalities, at least 31 passengers of the Sagada-bound bus suffered injuries.

This, as the Mt. Province judge handling the case of the driver of the ill-fated GV Florida bus is conducting an investigation at the site in Bontoc where the bus plunged into a ravine last Feb. 7.

Police said the ocular inspection will be scheduled following arraignment of  Renon, the driver of the Florida bus involved in the accident which left at least 14 passengers dead.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board  also conducted  on-site inspection on Feb. 28.

Renon is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and serious physical injuries before Judge Luis Daoen of the Bontoc Municipal Trial Court.