THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is now preparing the multiple charges to be filed against an Indian national, the driver of the Toyota Innova vehicle that rammed Catholic devotees during a Good Friday procession on April 18, in Purok 20, Granada-Alangilan Road, Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City.
The accident resulted in the deaths of Dionelo Solano, a lay minister; Gilven Tanique, a barangay tanod, both parishioners of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish and Shrine in Barangay Alangilan; and Daynah Plohinog, a college student and a resident of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, and 17 others, including two police officers and the companion of the Indian national, were also injured.
Colonel Joeresty Coronica, BCPO director, said they will file reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to properties against Jagpret Singh, 37, a resident of Buena Park Subdivision, Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City.
He said they will file the case within the prescribed period or within the reglementary period, which is 36 hours, to ensure that the suspect will not be released.
He added that hundreds of Catholic devotees joined the procession and they were on they way back to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish and Shrine when they were hit by the vehicle around 7:20 p.m.
Investigation showed that Singh and four companions were travelling from Barangay Alangilan towards Barangay Granada. Upon reaching Purok 20, they crashed into a tricycle driven by Solano with his passengers Tanique, Plohinog, and four other devotees.
Coronica said the tricycle overtook the procession because Plohinog passed out, but they were hit by the speeding Toyota Innova.
Due to the strong impact, he said the tricycle, which was divided into half, hit the patrol car of Police Station 5 that convoyed the procession, adding that one part of the tricycle also hit a multi-cab, the Saint Peter image and the devotees.
Coronica said Solano died on the spot while Tanique was declared on arrival in a hospital, and Plohinog expired on Saturday morning, April 19,
Of 17 other victims, 14 of them are still confined in various hospitals while three others were outpatients due to minor injuries.
Coronica said Singh and his four passengers attempted to escape, but because of the condition of their vehicle, they were arrested by police few meters away from Purok 20.
He said Singh, who was unharmed, is detained at station while his four companions were released, adding that further investigation revealed that Singh failed to apply break to avoid the accident.
Coronica noted that Singh was tested positive for alcohol, and they engaged lending business in Bacolod City.
Coronica also directed the traffic investigators to gather the statements of the victims from various hospitals to fast-track the filling of the case.
The BCPO chief also assured that they will give justice to the victims of the tragedy by way of filling the appropriate charges before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
For his part, Singh, who is staying in Bacolod for almost 10 years, said they travelled from a resort in Talisay City, and admitted that he had intake an alcohol as his pain reliever.
He said it was not his intention to hit the victims, adding that they attempted to escape because of fear that people might mob them.
Singh admitted that they were over speeding and they did not expect that they will hit the tricycle.
He apologized to the families of the victims and he is willing to face the charges for the filed against him.
Singh also signified his intention to extend financial assistance of the families of the victims.
Moreover, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also directed the Bacolod Transportation and Traffic Management Department (BTTMD) and law enforcement units to ensure that a strong case is filed and that justice is served.
“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 and burial assistance through the City Health Office, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program, Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD),” Benitez said.
The mayor 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,” Benitez said. (MAP)