The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has imposed a 30-day preventive suspension on five bus units of Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) after a fatal accident in Zamboanga del Sur that left two passengers dead and 28 others injured.
According to initial police investigations, the accident occurred on the morning of July 10, when the RTMI bus veered off the road, collided with a tree, and landed in a shallow roadside canal, resulting in multiple casualties in Purok 4, Barangay Mahayag, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.
In a statement on Monday, July 14, LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III said that a show cause order has been issued to RTMI, requiring the company to submit a written explanation within five days and appear at a hearing scheduled on Thursday, July 17, at the LTFRB Regional Office in Cagayan de Oro City.
“This tragic incident is unacceptable. The LTFRB is acting decisively in line with President Marcos’ directive to uphold commuter safety. We will not tolerate violations that endanger the lives of the riding public,” Guadiz said.
The LTFRB warned that failure to respond or appear will result in the case being decided based solely on available evidence.
The affected units are part of RTMI’s fleet, which services key routes across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. RTMI is one of the largest bus operators in the country and is owned by the Yanson Group of Companies, headquartered in Bacolod City.
The LTFRB emphasized that the suspension aims to ensure passenger safety while further investigations are conducted and accountability is established.
“Your responsibility goes beyond providing transportation, it includes protecting lives. If you fail to meet that duty, your privilege to operate will be withdrawn,” Guadiz emphasized, reminding operators that their duty extends beyond transportation services.
