Bacolod diocese mourns Good Friday car crash victims

The Diocese of Bacolod mourned the death of three individuals who died in a road accident during a Good Friday procession.

According to reports, the procession was making its way back to the church in Barangay Alangilan at around 7:00 p.m. when a car rammed into a tricycle, which was carrying the three fatalities.

The incident also left at least 20 individuals injured.

In a statement on Saturday, 19 April, Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon said the parish stands "in silence, in tears, and in the pain of these unanswerable questions," like the Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross.

"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," Buzon said.

The prelate also urged the faithful to offer prayers for the victims and their families.

"We continue to pray for those who were injured, that they may find healing and quick recovery," he continued.

"We stand in solidarity with all the affected families, especially those of the deceased, offering our prayers, support, and compassion in this time of mourning," he added.

The driver, identified as an Indian national, is in police custody as the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the city government is providing immediate medical and burial assistance to the injured individuals and the families of the deceased.

“I have asked our traffic and law enforcement units to ensure that a strong case is filed and that justice is served," Benitez continued.

"We ask the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and to support the ongoing investigation,” he added.