BACOLOD City – An Indian national driving a multipurpose vehicle that rammed a Good Friday procession in Barangay Alangilan here was released from detention after posting a bail.
Police Major Mark Joel Reclamado, commander of Police Station 5, said charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide with serious physical injuries, less serious physical injuries, slight physical injuries, and damage to properties was filed against Jagpret Singh, 37, a resident of Buena Park Subdivision, Barangay Villamonte here, on Monday, April 21.
He was released from jail at around 7 p.m. the next day after he posted a P60,000 bail, Reclamado said.
Meanwhile, Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica, director of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that they will file another complaint against Singh for violation of Republic Act 10586 (Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013) after he tested positive for alcohol in a liquor test.
For his part, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the city will check if Singh is a legitimate resident and has a working permit.
According to the BCPO, three persons died and 17 others were injured on April 18 after Singh’s Toyota Innova first hit a tricycle, then a police patrol vehicle securing the procession, a multicab, and those participating in the procession.
Police identified the fatalities as the 66-year-old lay minister Jonel Solano, a resident of Barangay Alangilan; Gelvin Tanique, a tanod of the said village; and Daynah Plohinog.
Investigations revealed that the accident happened at around 7:20 p.m. while the religious procession was passing along Granada-Alangilan Road in Purok 20.
While the procession was heading back to the Our Lady of The Most Holy Rosary Parish Church at around 7:20 p.m., the tricycle driven by Solano carrying four parishioners including Tanique was rammed by the speeding Toyota Innova.
The impact of the collision sent the tricycle into the air, landing on the front hood of the police mobile car of that was leading the religious procession./PN
