(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a drug test on the driver of the bus that fell off a ravine in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, killing more than 30 people.
Atty. Aileen Lizada, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board spokesperson, said Duterte gave the order because he wanted to know if Rolando Mangaoang was under the influence of drugs before the Leomarick bus with plate number AVZ-757 that he was driving fell off a cliff in Barangay Capintalan.
She said Mangaoang’s body was found in a funeral home in Bauang, La Union.
The results of the drug test done by the Scene of the Crime Operatives of the Philippine National Police on Wednesday night are expected to be released within the day.
Thirty-one people–including the driver— were killed and scores of others were injured after the bus fell off the Cagayan Valley-Nueva Ecija highway and plunged 80- to 100-feet deep.
Authorities said the bus–which had a capacity of 45 passengers—appeared to be overloaded.
Many of the passengers were only traveling back to Ilocos and Manila after the long weekend.
There are also reports the bus’ brakes failed, and that one of its tires burst, prompting the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
The LTFRB has ordered a suspension of the Leomarick franchise.
