3 dead as vehicle rams Good Friday procession in Bacolod (2025)

(1st UPDATE) The procession was on its way back to church in Barangay Alangilan when the incident happened, say police

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – At least three people died while 20 others were hurt in Bacolod City, after a speeding multi-purpose vehicle triggered a multiple vehicle collision that hit a procession of Catholic devotees on Good Friday evening, April 18.

The devotees participated in the traditional procession of pasos (life size images of saints) on Good Friday, in the village of Alangilan, 12.9 kilometers away from Bacolod City proper.

In an interview with Rappler on Saturday morning, April 19, Major Joeil Reclamado, Bacolod Police Station 5 chief, identified the fatalities as 66-year-old lay minister Jonelo Solano, barangay tanod Gerwin Tanique, and Dynha Plohinog. (Police earlier misidentified one of the dead as Gelvin Canete.)

The injured also include two cops and a passenger of the speeding vehicle.

Solano died on the spot while Canete was declared dead on arrival at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH). Plohinog died on Saturday.

Bacolod police chief Colonel Joeresty Coronica told Rappler on Saturday thatthe procession was already heading back to the Our Lady of The Most Holy Rosary Parish Church in Barangay Alangilan when the incident occurred at around 7:30 pm.

Coronica said that a tricycle carrying four parishioners — one of whom fainted during the procession — was rammed by a 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, then an Isuzu multicab jeep, and some of the devotees.

Suspect

The police identified the driver of the vehicle as Jag Pret Singh, who was with four others. Singh was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol. His companions were released late Friday night.

Coronica said that within the 36-hour reglementary period, they will the file against Singh charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to properties.

Reclamado said Singh was subjected to an alcohol confirmatory test at the Riverside Medical Center on Friday night, and the result will be released on Saturday. If the test turns out positive, Singh alsobe charged with violation of the Republic Act 1086, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.

Media were able to interview Singh while he was detained. He admitted that during the incident, he was really under the influence of alcohol that supposedly served as a “pain killer” for his sickness which he refused to specify.

He also asked forgiveness from the families of his victims.

Victims

Jonelyn Solano told Rappler that they were shocked to learn that their father, Jonelo, died on the spot.

“Until now, we can’t believe still what happened to our father that, for almost 15 years, he dedicated his life serving the church as lay minister,” she said.

Lemia Mayang, president of the Parish Pastoral Council of Alangilan, said Solano had served the church for more than 15 years not just as a lay minister but also as a “father” or “big brother” to many of their fellow parishioners.

Alex Padol, a youth coordinator of the Our Lady of Most Holy Rosary Church in Apangilan, said it was Solano who volunteered to drive the tricycle that was supposed to shuttle Dynha Plohinog, after she fainted during procession. Tanique, the other fatality, was the tricycle owner.

Plohinog was brought to the hospital on Friday night, but died the following morning. She hailed from La Carlota City and had just moved to Alangilan with her relatives. She was pursuing an education degree.

Plohinog was a new member of the Parish Youth Group of Our Lady of The Most Holy Rosary.

Following he tragedy, Jerwin Latoza, a youth coordinator in Alangilan parish, said the singing of “Himaya sa Diyos sa Kahitaasan” (Glory to God in the Highest) at a Resurrection Mass on Saturday, April 19, will be suspended.

“No one can afford yet to sing that song while all in the churchare grieving still,” he said. – Rappler.com