Drug Suspect Dies, 3 Cops Hurt in Iloilo Crash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A road mishap involving a police patrol car claimed the life of an arrested drug suspect in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

The incident happened at around 1:20 a.m. on April 30 as the patrol vehicle of the Batad Municipal Police Station was traveling along the national highway at Sitio Ambolong, Barangay Natividad in Barotac Viejo town.

Alias John, 44, a resident of Barangay Alinsulong, Batad, was rushed to Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. District Hospital in Barotac Nuevo but was declared dead on arrival.

Major Ciriaco Esquilarga, Barotac Viejo police chief, confirmed that three police officers were also injured in the incident.

They were identified as Master Sgt. Renante Fuentes, 45, of Barangay Binon-an, Batad; Master Sgt. Francis John Arricaya, 35; and Cpl. Joseph Asturias, 34.

Fuentes was driving the patrol vehicle, while Arricaya was seated beside him in the single-cab unit.

Asturias was seated at the back along with the suspect.

Captain John Predic Padilla, Batad police chief, said the three officers had escorted John to the Regional Forensic Unit 6 at Camp Delgado in Iloilo City for a drug test.

John had been arrested on the afternoon of April 29 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Banban, Batad.

Police also brought the illegal drugs seized from John for laboratory examination.

They left the police station at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and were on their way back when the incident occurred.

Reports said it was raining, and the vehicle skidded while navigating a waterlogged section of the road.

The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the highway and struck a concrete utility post.

The impact caused the patrol car to flip on its side.

All four occupants were rushed to the hospital. Fuentes and Arricaya were discharged after receiving treatment.

Asturias was referred to a hospital in Iloilo City and is scheduled to undergo surgery on his arm.