PASSENGER BUS STRAIGHTS AND CRASHES INTO A ROAD IN CATBALOGAN CITY; A LOT OF VEHICLES INVOLVED

Several people were injured after a JM Liner passenger bus lost control and slammed into a used clothing (ukay-ukay) store at the intersection of San Roque Street and Rizal Avenue, right next to the Catbalogan City Hall on Saturday morning, May 23, 2026.

The Incident

Initial police reports indicate that the JM Liner bus (identified in local reports as JM Bus #2112) was traveling northbound along Maharlika Highway. Upon entering the city's busy downtown district at around 10:00 AM, the vehicle reportedly suffered a mechanical failure, with its brakes suddenly malfunctioning.

Unable to decelerate, the massive public utility vehicle veered off the road and violently crashed directly into a roadside commercial establishment selling secondhand clothing.

Casualties and Collateral Damage

The high-impact collision triggered a multi-vehicle pileup, heavily damaging a parked van and a motorcycle.

According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the motorcycle was dragged and pinned beneath the bus during the impact. Emergency responders rushed the severely injured motorcyclist, along with several injured bus passengers, to the Samar Provincial Hospital for immediate medical treatment.

Ongoing Investigation

Personnel from the local disaster risk reduction management office and the Philippine National Police (PNP) immediately cordoned off the area to facilitate rescue operations and clear the wreckage.

Traffic investigators are currently validating whether the rainy weather and slippery road conditions directly contributed to the crash. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage from the City Hall area to determine the exact sequence of events and final casualty count. Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to property are being prepared pending the official investigation report.