Three policemen from Batad town, Province of Iloilo were injured while a drug suspect died after the patrol car they were riding in fell into a “kangkungan” (water spinach field) in Barotac Viejo town, Iloilo.

The incident happened in Sitio Ambulong, Barangay Natividad at 1:20 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

Police Major Ciriaco Esquilarga, chief of Barotac Viejo Municipal Police Station,  in an interview with GMA Super Radyo Iloilo, said that the policemen were heading back to Batad from  Iloilo City after escorting a drug suspect to the crime laboratory.

The suspect was arrested in a buy-bust operation evening on April 29, 2025 and was taken to the laboratory for a drug test.

Based on the investigation, water from a pothole splattered on the windshield of the patrol car. The driver reportedly lost control and headed into the swampy “kangkong” field. 

The three policemen and the suspect were rushed to the hospital, but the suspect was pronounced dead on arrival.

As of posting time, two of the policemen are in a hospital in Barotac Viejo while the other was referred to a hospital in Iloilo City.