Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The driver of the Valisno Express bus that figured in an accident that killed four people on Wednesday morning (August 12) is now under police custody.
George Pacis was arrested at his his home in Barangay Panginay in Balagtas, Bulacan at around 4 p.m.
Pacis left the crash scene after the accident which happened at around 7:20 a.m.
Insp. Marlon Meman, commander of the Quezon City Police District Traffic Sector 2, said investigators had to pretend to be representatives of Valisno Line.
Related: At least 4 dead, 18 injured in Quirino Highway bus crash
Pacis’s father pointed authorities to where his son was hiding.
Pacis was brought to the Scene of the Crime Operatives office at QCPD Station 10 in Kamuning where he underwent medico-legal examination and drug testing.
He was brought back to the Traffic Sector 2 where he would be detained after giving his official statement.
Meman said all documents about the inquest would most likely be prepared by Thursday (August 13).
Pacis could be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property.
He could be held liable for abandoning the victims, a violation of the Revised Penal Code.
Aside from the four fatalities, 18 people were also injured.
A representative of the Valisno Express management said the company would shoulder the hospital bills of those injured and extended burial assistance to the families of those who died. It would also extend cash assistance to the passengers.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board issued a 30-day preventive suspension order against the entire Valisno fleet.
Also, all yellow plates of the 62 buses will be confiscated and the vehicles will undergo a roadworthiness inspection by the Land Transportation Office.
All drivers of Valisno would have to undergo a road safety seminar and a drug test and secure police and NBI clearances.
CNN Philippines’ Mayumi Lugod and Mikas Matsuzawa contributed to this report
