LTFRB-8 suspends shuttle firm after fatal Samar crash

PALO, Leyte – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board regional office in Eastern Visayas has ordered the suspension of a transport company involved in a fatal road crash on 10 February 2026 in Barangay Balud, Sitio Sugpuron, Basey, Samar.

LTFRB regional director Gualberto Gualberto said a 30-day preventive suspension was imposed on Duptours Shuttle Services to give way to an investigation and compliance verification process.

Gualberto said the suspension covers all units under the affected franchise, including the vehicle directly involved in the incident.

Four people died, including the driver, when a passenger van traveling from Borongan City bound for Tacloban City rammed into a parked truck along the national highway.

The LTFRB required the operator of the involved unit to submit all its drivers to mandatory drug testing through an authorized or Department of Health-accredited testing facility. Drivers were also ordered to attend a road safety seminar to address safe driving practices.

Gualberto said the LTFRB will conduct inspections of the company’s public transport vehicles to determine their roadworthiness and mechanical fitness for public service.

He said the operator has coordinated to provide medical and hospitalization assistance to injured victims and extended support to the families of the fatalities, including assistance for funeral arrangements.

Gualberto also directed the insurance provider to promptly process and release passenger insurance claims for all victims of the incident.