Ifugao mom crosses road to shelter baby from rain, hit by bus

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela – What was supposed to be a brief shelter from a heavy downpour ended in tragedy for a mother from Ifugao after she was struck by a passenger bus while carrying her one-year-old baby on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

The incident occurred along the Santiago City–Tuguegarao Road in Barangay Rizal, particularly in front of SMC Hospital.

In an interview with XFM Santiago, PMaj. Melchor Aggabao Jr., Chief of the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Santiago City Police Office, said the victim, a resident of Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, had been walking along the road when she sought temporary shelter at a checkpoint because of the heavy rain.

According to Aggabao, the woman attempted to cross to the other side of the road when an incoming passenger bus bound for Metro Manila reportedly experienced a mechanical problem. The bus then struck the victim before crashing into a Toyota Hilux driven by a police officer.

The impact of the collision was severe, causing the victim to lose her left arm and right leg. She was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Her one-year-old baby, who was with her at the time of the incident, sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Several bus passengers were also reportedly injured, including a 72-year-old woman from Santiago City. The injured individuals were immediately attended to by medical personnel at SMC Hospital.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and to verify the reported mechanical failure of the bus.