GASAT Express blackmailing Star Toll accident victims?

MANILA, Philippines (ABS-CBN News) - Police said on Wednesday that relatives of the 7 people killed in the Star Tollway accident refused to press charges because the bus firm, GASAT Express, has threatened to hold their financial assistance.

This was revealed by Senior Police Officer 4 Nelio Lopez, deputy chief of Ibaan police in Batangas, when asked during an interview on radio dzMM why they released GASAT Express driver Aurelio Doctora.

"Ang pamilya ay walang pera at kung ihahabla daw ay titigil sa pagtulong ang may-ari ng bus," Lopez said, quoting a lawyer representing the relatives of the victims.

He said that due to family's failure to file charges, they were forced to release Doctora. The bus driver was released at around 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

Lopez said that the victims' lawyer also urged the police not to file charges against the bus driver and the bus firm.

"Iyon ang sabi ng abogado ng pamilya. Nakiusap na 'wag nang ihabla dahil 'pag hinabla, titigil ang pagsuporta at walang pagkukunan ng pampalibing at pangpagamot pa," the local police official said.

He, however, said that they will still push through with the filing of charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide against the driver.


GASAT's franchise likely to be revoked

Meanwhile, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Nelson Laluces told radio dzMM in a separate interview that the bus firm's franchise is likely to be revoked due to initial findings that the unit involved was out of line.

Laluces added that if the bus firm dodges the franchise revocation, it may still face up to one year suspension because of the accident.

He said GASAT Express, owned by Rose Valisno, has at least 50 units, and only 17 of its units were covered by the initial suspension order issued by the LTFRB.

He added that Valisno holds 5 bus franchises involving more than 100 units.

He said the LTFRB is currently studying the records of GASAT Express and other bus lines owned by Valisno. He said that depending on the results of the review, they may suspend the whole fleet of buses owned by Valisno.

Laluces, meanwhile, said the LTFRB will conduct its first franchise hearing regarding the Star Tollway accident on January 11. It may be able to come up with a decision after 60 days. (report from ABS-CBN News)