Driver yields after fatal Panitan road crash

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The driver of a car that hit a former barangay kagawad in Panitan, Capiz, voluntarily surrendered to police Saturday afternoon, May 9, 2026.

Police Lt. Larry Pasmo, Panitan deputy police chief, said the suspect, identified as Constantino Dumagpi, of legal age and a resident of Barangay Lawaan in Roxas City, showed up at the Panitan Municipal Police Station around 2:15 p.m. Saturday, May 9.

Dumagpi confessed that he was the driver of the Toyota Avanza that hit Jeck Dollete, 66, Thursday evening, May 7, at Sitio Danao in Barangay Tabuc Sur, Panitan, Capiz.

The victim was a resident of Sitio Kapanang and a former barangay kagawad of Barangay Agkilo, also in Panitan.

The suspect told police that he was hesitant to get out of his car to help the victim for fear that residents would mob him.

An investigation by the Panitan Municipal Police Station indicated that Dumagpi was on his way home from Pontevedra to Roxas City around 8:45 p.m. aboard his Toyota Avanza when he accidentally hit Dollete, who was fixing the chain of his motorcycle.

Because of the strong impact, Dollete was thrown, and his head hit an electric post of the Capiz Electric Cooperative.

The victim was immediately assisted by the Panitan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and brought to Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The driver, instead of helping the victim, sped off and fled toward Roxas City.

Police immediately alerted nearby municipal police stations about the possible areas where the suspect might pass.

Police said the suspect was first spotted in Ivisan and later in Barangay Lawaan, Roxas City.

The suspect is under the custody of the Panitan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.