LAOAG CITY — In a press conference on Wednesday held by the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office, together with the Laoag City Police Station, it was confirmed that one of those involved in the road crash incident that happened last night, 5 Deecmber, at 10:51 p.m. at Rodolfo Fariñas Bypass Road is a police officer assigned at Bacarra Police Station.

According to Lt. Col. Andrew Rabang of the LCPS, the police officer is identified as Police Corporal Odelon Arconado Jr., who is currently a resident of Laoag City but is assigned to the Bacarra Municipal Police Station, a neighboring town.

Rabang elaborated that the sedan driven by the cop was heading north while the van was heading in the opposite direction. Upon reaching the curved portion of the road, the sedan driven by a police officer encroached on the other lane resulting in the sedan hitting the front of the van which resulted in the collision of the two vehicles.

Meanwhile, Police Maj. Anthony Marzan, the official spokesperson of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office, said that Police Colonel Julius C. Suriben will not tolerate or condone such incident where a police officer is involved.

"He will be relieved in his assignment and will be brought to the holding section for him to fix his answers against the charges against him," Marzan said in a statement, wherein Arconado will be relieved pending his administrative and criminal charges.

Rabang also disclosed that both administrative and criminal charges will be filed against the erring cop who is allegedly drunk and registering a 0.05 percent breath alcohol content.

Marzan also appealed to the public to not drive while under the influence of liquor considering the potential damage an accident can cause. He also appealed to the public, especially those who are riding motorcycles, tricycles, e-bikes, and those that are alike, to buy their high visibility vest as the implementation of a provincial ordinance regarding that is set on 16 December.