The death toll in the incident in Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City where a car rammed into persons in a solemn procession on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, already reached three persons, while 17 were injured.
As of this writing, two of the injured persons are still recuperating at the hospital.
One of the casualties was identified as Jonel Solano, the driver of the tricycle.
The tricycle was rammed into first by 36-year-old Indian national identified as Jarpreet Singh.
“Sana maramdaman niya ang nararamdaman namin. Maraming buhay ang inano niya,” according to Jonelyn Solano, daughter of the victim.
The wife of another casualty, identified as 62-year-old Gilven Tanigue, is determined to file a complaint against the driver.
“Gusto ko mabigyan ng hustisya ang aking asawa, [ang kanyang] biglaang pagkamatay,” said Teofila Tanigue, wife of the victim.
Teofila’s son, Ivar, said his family is hurt deeply by the incident.
“Masakit sa aming damdamin na wala na ang papa ko. Hindi ako makapaniwala na wala na si papa,” Ivar said.
Daynah Plohinog, 21 years old, a passenger of the tricycle died while in the hospital.
According to an investigation conducted by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), the vehicle driven by Singh was moving speedily.
Singh hit the tricycle first. As the vehicle traversed the opposite lane, it hit a patrol car of Police Station 5, and on to persons who participated in a solemn procession on Good Friday.
Singh will face charges for multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to properties.
“Magpa-file kami ng kasong violation of anti-drunk driving law dahil nagpositibo rin siya sa alcohol. We have witnesses na maka-testify na siya ang nagda-drive, nakadamit ng itim,” according to Colonel Joeresty Coronica, BCPO director.
The driver apologized to the families of his victims.
“Patawad po. Sorry, hindi ko naman gusto mabangga. Biglaan kasi,” Singh said.
As for the Local Government Unit of Bacolod City, it has requested the police to investigate the records of the Indian national at the Bureau of Immigration.
According to a probe, the suspect has been residing in Bacolod City for about a decade already.
