BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) filed on Monday, April 21, a criminal complaint against a 37-year-old Indian national involved in a Good Friday accident that killed three people and injured 17 others in Barangay Alangilan here.

JARPREET Singh, 37, faces charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to properties over the Good Friday procession tragedy that killed three persons and injured 17 others, including two policemen in Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City. (Glazyl Masculino)

Police Lt. Col. Ramel Sarona, head of the Bacolod Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), filed charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to properties against Jarpreet Singh before the City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday night.

Sarona said that only eight of the 17 injured victims remain confined in hospitals here.

Police Col. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod City police director, said that it took them a while to gather all the affidavits from the victims to file a single case. 

He also said that Singh will remain under police custody, unless he posts a bail.

Coronica said that Singh was identified by two witnesses as the driver of a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that crashed into a tricycle and rammed into Catholic devotees during a procession on April 18.

This clarification came after reports circulated on social media that a different person was driving the vehicle involved in the accident.

Coronica said that one of the witnesses was one of the crowd in the procession, while the other saw Singh getting out of the vehicle's driver’s seat when they were intercepted by authorities a few meters away from the accident scene.

He said that they have coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration regarding Singh’s status in the Philippines. Singh has been staying in this city for about 10 years now.

The Diocese of Bacolod mourned the accident that claimed the lives of three parishioners from Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish and Shrine.

Bishop Patricio Buzon personally visited the families of the victims on Saturday to offer support and assess their condition.

“With sorrow, we surrender our hearts to the inscrutable and often painful unfolding of God’s plan. Like the Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross, we stand in silence, in tears, and in the pain of these unanswerable questions,” Buzon said in a statement.

The Diocese stands united with the grieving families, especially those who lost loved ones, offering prayers, compassion, and support during this time of mourning.

“This is our Good Friday. But we hold fast to the hope that this sorrow and loss will one day open the way to an Easter grace,” the bishop said. Prayers continue for the full recovery of those who were injured.

A somber mood has enveloped the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish and Shrine as the community mourned the loss of three beloved members.

Lemia Amagan, president of the parish pastoral council, remembered 66-year-old Dionelo Solano as a devoted lay minister for 15 years. Despite battling a chronic illness, he remained steadfast in his service to God.

Solano’s daughter, Jonely, shared that her father had been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and had a medical check-up just days before the accident. 

She said her father survived a motorcycle accident in November last year and returned to serve the Church as soon as he recovered.

Youth coordinators Jerwin Latoza and Alexis Padol expressed grief over the passing of Daynah Plohinog, a college student. “It’s hard to accept what happened. We did not expect it,” Latoza said.

Padol, who had helped move Plohinog into the tricycle after she fainted, recalled how Singh’s multi-purpose vehicle collided with the tricycle.

The tricycle split into half and hit a police car and the crowd.

La Consolacion College (LCC)-Bacolod paid tribute to Plohinog, describing her as a kind-hearted student, soft-spoken and full of promise. 

In a Facebook post, the school honored her quiet strength and unwavering dedication to her studies and beliefs.

The children of barangay tanod Gilven Tanique were also saddened over the death of their father.

In response to the tragedy, the Church in Alangilan is asking for donations to support the affected individuals. 

Contributions—either in cash or in-kind—are welcome, especially to aid hospital watchers and to provide food and logistical support for those delivering psychological assistance.

The Philippine Red Cross Bacolod City-Negros Occidental Chapter has extended help by offering Psychosocial Support (PSP) and Psychological First Aid (PFA) to the families impacted by the incident.