Jagpreet Singh, the Toyota Innova driver*Romeo Subaldo photo
The death toll increased to three with 16 injured when a Good Friday procession turned into a tragedy after a vehicle driven by an Indian national, who tested positive for the use of alcohol, slammed into a tricycle in Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City, on April 19.
The faithful who walked behind life size religious images were headed back to the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish Church in Alangilan when a female participant fainted.
Lay Minister Jonel Solano, 66, and his friend barangay tanod Gilven Tanique, 62, rushed student Daynah Plohinog, 21, who fainted on a tricycle to get medical help.
The tricycle already reached the front of the procession beyond a police patrol car securing the activity when the Toyota Innova driven by Jagpreet Singh, 37, hit it at about 7:20 p.m., PCol. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod police director, said on Saturday.
The tricycle split in half with one side landing on the hood of the police patrol car at the head of the procession and hitting an Isuzu multicab. The other half of the tricycle hit the crowd in the procession.
Solano died on the spot, Tanique was declared dead on arrival at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) Friday night and Plohinog died Saturday.
Thirteen other procession participants were hospitalized while three others with minor injuries were outpatients, Coronica said.
The driver, with four other Indian nationals on board the Toyota Innova, attempted to escape but were arrested by the police, Coronica said.
Because the Toyota Innova was damaged during the accident it stopped one kilometer away from the crime scene and they ran away on foot and tried to hide but were apprehended, he said.
The driver is now detained, Coronica said, adding that he will face charges for reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property.
They will consult with the prosecutor on the inclusion of charges for drunk driving, he added
The driver’s having escaped is an aggravating circumstance that would increase his penalty, Coronica said.
The police is aiming to file the charges within the reglementary period so the Indian national will remain detained, Coronica said.
The Indian national has been residing in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City, and the police are checking with the Bureau of Immigration if his stay in the country is valid, Coronica said.
The police said the Indian nationals are allegedly into the money lending business.
It would seem that the Indian national did not step on his brakes as there were no skid marks at the crime scene. The only marks were from the wheels of the tricycle so this indicates that the Indian driver did not see the tricycle, Coronica said.
“We cannot confirm that he was driving fast but the damage to the vehicle indicates that he was… as the tricycle was split in half,” he said.
The Toyota Innova was not registered in the name of the Indian national.
A witness said if the patrol car were not in the area, more people would have been hit.
One elderly weeping woman clutching on to a pair of male shoes said her son and grandchild and were rushed to a hospital.
SORRY
The Indian national denied that he drank alcohol. He was taking pain killer medication, he said in an interview from his cell at Police Sation 5.
The driver said he did not escape, he just left the area because he was afraid because there were a lot of people. The Indian national, who said he had been living in the Philippines for more than 10 years, denied that he was driving fast.
The Indian national said he is sorry to the families of those who died, and those who were injured, he did not purposely cause the accident and did not wish it to happen.
AID PROVIDED
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said it is with deep sorrow that such a tragic incident occurred, “we extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured”.
The city government is providing immediate medical assistance to the injured and burial assistance to the families of the three who died, he said.
“I have asked our traffic and law enforcement units to ensure that a strong case is filed and that justice is served,” he said.
“Security has been heightened to safeguard the remaining Holy Week and Easter Sunday observances. We ask 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,” Benitez said.
BISHOP’S STATEMENT
Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon said “We are deeply grieved by the tragic incident that happened to our three parishioners from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish and Shrine, Brgy. Alangilan, as they took part in the Good Friday procession”.
“With sorrow, we surrender our hearts to the inscrutable and often painful unfolding of God’s plan. Like the Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross, we stand in silence, in tears, and in the pain of these unanswerable questions. This is our Good Friday. But we hold fast to the hope that this sorrow and loss will one day open the way to an Easter grace,” he added.
“We believe that our brothers and sister, who walked with Christ that day, have also been welcomed into His eternal embrace. We continue to pray for those who were injured, that they may find healing and quick recovery,” Buzon said.
“We stand in solidarity with all the affected families, especially those of the deceased, offering our prayers, support, and compassion in this time of mourning,” he added.
STUDENT DIES
La Consolacion College Bacolod said Plohinog was a student at its School of Sciences, Liberal Arts and Teacher Education.
“Daynah was a cherished member of the LCCian community — kind, soft-spoken, and full of promise. Her quiet strength and sincere devotion to her faith and studies were evident to those who had the privilege of knowing her,” it said.
Meanwhile, the CLMMRH denied claims that Plohinog was denied treatment at the hospital due to the absence of a family representative. This is categorically false, it said.
CLMMRH upholds its duty to provide urgent, compassionate care to all patients, regardless of status or family presence, it added.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish and Shrine, in a Facebook post called, for donations for the victims and the help of professionals who can provide psychological support, especially for those who were present and directly witnessed the event.
With the assistance of the Bacolod City Health Office, other private doctors and organizations willing to extend their services, they aim to conduct Psychological First Aid sessions as soon as possible, it said.
“If you were there and witnessed the event, please don’t hesitate to PM (private message) to us your names so we can include you in the support efforts. Your mental and emotional well-being matters. Let’s heal together,” it added.*