Church Mourns Good Friday Tragedy in Bacolod

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Diocese of Bacolod expressed deep sorrow over a tragic accident that killed three parishioners and injured 17 others, including two police officers, during a Good Friday procession in Barangay Alangilan on April 18.

Bishop Patricio Buzon visited the victims’ families on Saturday to offer support and check their condition.

Those killed in the accident were Dionelo Solano, 66, a lay minister; Gilven Tanique, a barangay tanod; and Daynah Plohinog, a college student of La Consolacion College-Bacolod and a resident of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

“With sorrow, we surrender our hearts to the inscrutable and often painful unfolding of God’s plan,” Buzon said in a statement.

“Like the Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross, we stand in silence, in tears, and in the pain of these unanswerable questions,” he added.

The Diocese extended prayers, compassion, and support to the victims and their families during this time of mourning.

“This is our Good Friday,” Buzon said.

“But we hold fast to the hope that this sorrow and loss will one day open the way to an Easter grace.”

The Diocese also continues to pray for the injured and wishes them healing and a speedy recovery.

At Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish and Shrine, the atmosphere was somber as the community grieved the loss of three parishioners.

Lemia Amagan, parish pastoral council president, said Solano had served as a lay minister for 15 years and continued to serve despite his illness.

Solano’s daughter, Jonely, said her father had chronic kidney disease and had a medical consultation just days before the accident.

She recalled that Solano was also involved in a motorcycle accident in November 2024 but resumed church service after recovering.

Youth coordinators Jerwin Latoza and Alexis Padol mourned the loss of Plohinog, describing her death as sudden and heartbreaking.

Padol helped place Plohinog in a tricycle driven by Solano and owned by Tanique after she collapsed during the procession.

LCC-Bacolod also paid tribute to Plohinog, describing her as kind, soft-spoken, and full of promise in a Facebook post.

“She showed quiet strength and sincere devotion to her faith and studies,” the school said.

Latoza said around 300 people joined the procession and were returning to the church when the accident occurred at 7:20 p.m.

The tricycle carrying Plohinog was rushing ahead to get her first aid when it was struck by a speeding red Toyota Innova.

The vehicle was allegedly driven by an Indian national with four passengers and collided with the tricycle while overtaking the procession.

Police Col. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod City Police Office chief, said the tricycle split in half on impact.

One half struck a police car, while the other hit devotees, a San Pedro statue, and a multicab.

Solano died at the scene, Tanique was declared dead at the hospital, and Plohinog passed away the following morning.

Police Maj. Joeil Reclamado, head of Police Station 5, said 14 injured individuals, including one passenger from the Innova, were admitted to three different private hospitals.

Two police officers and another civilian sustained minor injuries and were treated as outpatients.

The Philippine Red Cross-Bacolod City Negros Occidental Chapter provided psychological first aid and psychosocial support to affected families.

Police arrested 37-year-old Jagpret Singh, a resident of Barangay Villamonte, a few meters from the scene after he allegedly attempted to flee.

Coronica said Singh did not apply the brakes and drove through the crowd before being stopped.

Singh tested positive for alcohol and later claimed in a media interview that he drank liquor as a painkiller.

He apologized for the incident and said he did not intend to harm anyone.

“Pasensya. Sorry gid. Indi ko gusto na sila bungguan. Gulpi lang,” Singh said while in police custody.

Singh said he has lived in Bacolod for more than 10 years and is willing to face charges and offer assistance to the victims’ families.

He holds a valid driver’s license and operates a lending business, though the vehicle was registered to a woman whom police are still tracing.

Coronica said charges will be filed against Singh within the reglementary period, with traffic investigators gathering statements from witnesses.

Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, through his spokesperson Atty. Caesar Distrito, vowed to ensure a strong case is filed and justice is served.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured,” Benitez said.

The mayor also assured that the city will provide immediate medical and burial assistance.

Authorities have heightened security measures for the remaining Holy Week and Easter Sunday activities.

Benitez urged the public not to spread unverified information and to support the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, the Church in Alangilan is accepting donations for those affected.

Assistance may be given in cash or in-kind, including food and supplies for hospital watchers and psychological aid providers.