“P100K reward offered for driver who killed UP professor-journalist (Chit Estella-Simbulan)” – ABS-CBN news hourly update

“MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino has offered a P100,000 reward for any information that can lead to the arrest of the bus driver involved in the accident.xxx”

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     From the ABS-CBN News Channel hourly update and hourly news crawler:

“MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang wants severe measures against reckless bus drivers following the bus accident on Commonwealth Avenue on Friday night that claimed the life of University of the Philippines (UP) professor and journalist Lourdes ‘Chit’ Estella-Simbulan.

“Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said she expects the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to review its rules and penalties against erring bus drivers following the incident.

“The accident happened despite a 60-kilometer-per-hour (kph) speed limit along the thoroughfare, which has been dubbed a “killer highway” because of many fatal accidents involving speeding vehicles.

“MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino has offered a P100,000 reward for any information that can lead to the arrest of the bus driver involved in the accident.

“Friends, family, colleagues and students flocked to the wake of  Lourdes Simbulan, better known in the media industry as Chit Estella.

“She was 54.

“Simbulan died after the taxi she was riding was rammed by a bus from the rear near the UP Ayala Technohub along Commonwealth Avenue at around 6 p.m.

“One bus was identified as a Universal Guiding Star bus with plate number UVC 343, but the taxi driver said there was a second bus involved.

“The two buses were allegedly racing when the accident happened. The drivers of both buses are still at-large.

“ “Sana naman doon sa driver ng bus sumuko ka na,” said Delfin Llagas, the operator of the taxi involved in the crash.

“The taxi driver, Vito Jagunos, said the taxi was suddenly bumped at the back by one of the buses. “Bigla na lang sinalpok ng bus yung likod namin e,” he said. “Nakita ko yung pasahero ko sumusuka na ng dugo.” xxx