The bus fire on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on Sunday, where a male passenger set a female conductor on fire, is a possible crime of passion.
This is the belief of the management of Fairview Bus Inc., which operates the burned bus.
According to John Marvin Gopez, officer in charge of Fairview Bus, it is possible that conductor Amelene Sembana and the man who has not yet been identified knew each other.
“Lumalabas sa imbestigasyon, crime of passion… nagva-validate pa kami kung asawa nga niya (Amelene) ‘yon o ka-live in partner kasi doon umiikot ang kuwento,” said Gopez.
(The investigation reveals it is a crime of passion. We are still validating if the male passenger was Amelene’s husband or live-in partner.)
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is also looking into the possibility that the conductor and the man who caused the bus fire have met before.
Amelene’s father, Orlando Sembrana, also has no idea for the possible reason why his daughter was burned.
He said he did not know of any threat to Amelene’s life.
“Hindi ko alam kung may komunikasyon sila, hindi ko alam ganyan ang mangyari sa kanya… wala naman sinasabi sa amin na kaalitan,” said Orlando.
Commonwealth bus fire possibly a crime of passion
Fairview Bus cooperates with the Sembrana family and pays for the cremation and funeral expenses of the conductor, who has worked for the company for 3 years.
The company also assured that it will extend assistance to those injured in the bus fire.
Amelene’s family and the management of Fairview Bus hope that any ID will be obtained from the man.
The man could not be identified because he also set himself on fire.
The chemical sprayed on the victim is also being examined.
“‘Yong bus kasi namin may CCTV, ‘yon hopefully ma-retrieve pa rin ‘yong black box noon, para mamukhaan natin sino man ‘yong lalaki,” said Gopez.
In a statement, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon that the policy of placing plastic barriers on public vehicles should be revised as they could block the way of passengers during emergencies.
The legislator also wants the use of fireproof materials in public transportation.