Police car accident injures 15 devotees during church visit in Ligao, Albay

Fifteen devotees, including five minors, in Ligao, Albay were injured after being hit by a police mobile while visiting the church on Good Friday.

In a "24 Oras" report on Friday, Albay Police said they were conducting inspections at a pilgrimage site when one of the visitors asked for a free ride for three senior citizens.

While assisting the senior citizens on the mobile unit, witnesses said the vehicle suddenly rolled down the sloping road and struck the victims.

“’Yung mobile po, maganda po iyong pagka-park. Naka-handbrake tapos may bato… Padausdos po kasi iyong kalsada. Sa sobrang dami nilang sumakay, parang [umabante] po yung patrol car natin,” shared the driver, Police Corporal Stephen Ocfemia.

(The mobile was well-parked. It was on the handbrake, and there was a rock… The road was sloping. There were too many people getting in, so the patrol car [drove forward].)

“Pagabante po, hinawakan ko po sa likod para mapigilan. Sa sobrang bigat po, hindi ko na po talaga kinaya hanggang nasugatan na po ako… Nabitawan ko na po yung patrol,” he added.

(When it drove forward, I held onto the back to try to stop it. But it was too heavy, I couldn't hold on anymore, and I got wounded… I had to let go of the patrol.)

The victims are now recovering at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the driver has been removed from his post and coud face multiple charges due to the incident.

Albay police shared that investigations are still ongoing.

“May relief order na siya. Tinitignan din natin yung possible filing ng kaso niya katulad halimbawa kung makikita natin yung reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries, damage to property, at saka sigurado papasok siya sa administrative case,” said Albay police director Police Colonel Noel Nuñez.

(He has a relief order now. We are also looking into the possible filing of cases against him, like reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries, damage to property, and of course, the administrative case.) —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/LDF, GMA News