Police official Alberto Supapo says the bus was overtaking a car on Sunday when it hit the Manila-bound jeep in the opposite lane of a highway in Ibaan town in Batangas province.

Police investigator Nelio Lopez says the collision killed the jeep driver and six of his passengers who were siblings. They were among thousands who were heading back to Manila at the end of the Christmas holiday.

Police say some passengers on the bus received minor injuries.

Poorly maintained vehicles and roads and reckless driving are blamed for many deadly accidents in the Philippines.