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BACOLOD CITY — Three persons were killed and nine were injured after a car plowed into a Good Friday procession in Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City, at around 7 p.m. on April 18.
Col. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, said that the devotees were heading back to church in Alangilan when a Toyota Innova rammed into a tricycle that was helping secure the procession.
The BCPO's Traffic Management Unit identified the fatality as Jonelo Solano, 66, the tricycle driver and a lay minister, while his passenger, Gelvin Tanique, a barangay tanod, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Another fatality was identified as Daynah Plohinog, a resident of the barangay who died at the hospital on Saturday morning.
Nine persons were injured in the mishap, including minors.
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The private vehicle also hit a patrol car of police station 5, a multicab and pedestrians who were all minors.
The driver of the Toyota Innova was identified as Jagpret Shingh, a 37-year-old Indian citizen. He had four other companions inside the car who were released from police custody Friday evening.
Police investigation showed that the private vehicle was moving fast, and the driver appeared to have lost control of the car when it rammed into the tricycle head on.
The impact of the collision sent the tricycle into the air, landing on the front hood of the mobile car.
The Indian citizens reportedly came from a resort before the accident occurred. They tried to flee the scene but were apprehended by the authorities.
The driver has undergone an alcohol test, but the police have yet to release the result.
He is set to face multiple charges.
In a statement on Saturday, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez expressed deep sorrow over the accident.
"It is with deep sorrow that a tragic incident, which occurred last night during the Good Friday procession in Barangay Alangilan, where a private vehicle, reportedly driven by a foreign national allegedly under the influence of alcohol, rammed into a crowd of devotees. Three lives were lost and 10 others were injured," Benitez said.
The mayor also offered his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.
He said the city government will provide immediate medical and burial assistance through the City Health Office, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program, and the Department of Social Services and Development.
"The driver is in police custody. I have asked our traffic and law enforcement units to ensure that a strong case is filed and that justice is served," the mayor said.
Security has been heightened to safeguard the remaining activities of the devotees on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday, he said.
Benitez also asked the public "to refrain from spreading unverified information and to support the ongoing investigation."
"Let us stand united in prayer and solidarity during this tragic time," he said.
