HPG officer dies in road crash

CEBU, Philippines — A highway patrol police officer who was supposed to cap off his years of service through retirement this year met an untimely end when his motorcycle collided with a bus early Sunday morning.

The fatality was identified as 55-year-old Police Executive Master Sergeant Antonio Sando, a resident of Carcar City. He was assigned to the Traffic Patrol Group under the Office of the Director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7.

Sando died after the police motorcycle he was driving collided with a Ceres bus along the national highway in Barangay Inoburan.

The passenger bus was driven by 43-year-old Junrel Villamor Cavalida, a resident of Barangay Bato, Samboan, Cebu.

Based on the initial investigation of the City of Naga Police Station, at around 7:45 a.m., the two vehicles were traversing in opposite directions—Cavalida was heading northbound, while Sando was heading southbound.

Upon reaching the area of the incident, another vehicle heading northbound suddenly stopped on the inner lane of the road, causing other vehicles behind it to abruptly step on the brakes, leading to an initial collision.

In an attempt to avoid traffic congestion, the bus allegedly counterflowed by swerving into the other lane; however, it eventually collided with the motorcycle driven by Sando.

Due to the strong impact of the collision, Sando was pinned underneath the bus, causing severe injuries to his head and body. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Subsequently, the bus driver was arrested and placed under the custodial facility of the City of Naga Police, pending the formal filing of appropriate cases against him.

He will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property.

Following the untimely death of their comrade, PRO-7 mourned Sando, who was set to retire later this year, honoring his decades-long contributions as a committed public servant.

“PEMS Antonio Sando was a dedicated member of the Philippine National Police who faithfully served the organization for decades. He was set to retire later this year, marking the culmination of a career anchored on discipline, professionalism, and commitment to public service,” PRO-7 wrote in a statement.

“As a member of the Traffic Patrol Group and serving as a security escort under the Office of the Regional Director, he played a vital role in promoting road safety and traffic discipline across Central Visayas,” it added.

The regional police force also extended its condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and colleagues of Sando.

Fiesta celebrators ran over by multicab

In Minglanilla, what was supposed to be a fun night of fiesta celebration turned into a tragic accident when a multicab driven by a barangay captain ran over 10 individuals, including a minor, while they were dancing in the middle of the road in Sitio Bayong, Barangay Cadulawan, on Saturday evening, January 31.

The vehicle was driven by Poblacion Ward II Barangay Captain Johnny Floyd “Janjan” Castañares, 39, who was later arrested by the police for cases of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to property.

The wounded victims, whose identities were not disclosed by the police, included a 14-year-old boy and nine others of legal age.

Based on the initial investigation of the Minglanilla Municipal Police Station, the accident occurred around 11 p.m. while a group of relatives were celebrating the feast of Señor Santo Niño in the town.

According to the report, the driver was traveling along the national highway and, upon reaching a steep section of the road in the barangay, he allegedly lost control of his brakes and accidentally ran over people dancing on an interior road within the barangay.

The victims who sustained injuries were immediately given first aid by civilians and were later rushed to the hospital with the assistance of emergency responders.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, chief of the Minglanilla Police, said that before the suspect was apprehended, he was first brought to the station where his driver’s license was confiscated.

Macatangay said that Castañares and the families of the eight victims, who are acquaintances, initially reached an agreement in exchange that the barangay captain promised to cover their medical expenses.

Considering the amicable settlement opted for by both parties, she added that the suspect was not detained.

However, Castañares was later arrested at his residence after two other victims from the same incident resurfaced yesterday afternoon.

“Naay bag-ong complainants nga ni resurface bag-o lang kay dile ra man diay katung walo nga lista ang naapil, naa pa man diay lain. On that basis, atoa siyang gi-arrest,” Macatangay told *The Freeman*.

She added that one of the two other complainants who went to the station was injured, while the other filed a complaint due to a damage to his motorcycle caused by the accident.

Macatangay also explained that regardless of the initial settlement with the eight victims, the suspect was still arrested based on separate complaints from the two other victims.

“Kining hitaboa man gud kay individual man ni nga cause of action against ani. What has been agreed by one family is not obtaining sa other families,” she said.

On allegations that the suspect was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, Macatangay maintained that the police found no signs that the barangay captain was drunk.

She also mentioned that after the accident, Castañares’ vehicle was attacked by people in the area, resulting in dents, scratches, and a broken windshield.

To prevent the recurrence of such road accidents, the municipal police chief reminded motorists to constantly check the proper maintenance of their vehicles.

While acknowledging the traditional Filipino custom of celebrating fiestas along the streets, Macatangay urged the public to stay indoors. She also suggested that barangay officials consider designating areas where celebrations can be held safely, such as covered courts or open spaces.

“Ang accident di man gyud na matagna kung kanus-a mahitabo, but pwede siguro ma-mitigate… Nindot gyud unta kung mahimo lang na sulod sa balay ug di kaha naay specific nga lugar nga ma-designate ang barangay nga didto ang kasaulogan like a covered court or an open space,” she said.