Girl, 8, killed as speeding police car hits motorcycle in Koronadal

KORONADAL CITY – A speeding police patrol car that crossed while the traffic light was red hit a motorcycle in downtown Koronadal, killing an eight-year-old girl and wounding her grandmother.

The collision occurred at around 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday at a traffic light intersection along General Santos Drive and Sinsuat Street in Barangay Zone 4, according to a police report, which identified the victims as “Mina,” 8, and her grandmother, Meriam Salan Antiquera, 51, both residents of Purok Silangan, Barangay Morales.Cpl. Elton John Javien Rombawa, 30, assigned to the 1st Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Force Company, drove the speeding patrol car.

READ: Speeding van with lost brakes blamed for deaths of 6 in ZamboangaThe speeding police vehicle was allegedly leading a convoy when the incident happened.

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In an interview, Antiquera said their lane had the green light and other vehicles had given way in respect to traffic rules.

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She recalled that the police car was still approaching at high speed as they were crossing the intersection and hit them.Antiquera said her granddaughter was thrown several meters away from the motorcycle and suffered a serious head injury.

The child was initially brought to a private hospital but had to be transferred to another facility because of the lack of adequate medical facilities and doctors, she said.The girl later died from her injuries, while her grandmother is recuperating.

South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. expressed his condolences to the girl’s family and assured them of the provincial government’s assistance.

Tamayo said he was saddened and angered by the incident and vowed to hold accountable those responsible under the law.Brig. Gen. Alan Manibog, Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) director, said police took Rombawa into custody following the incident.

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The official ordered the policeman to undergo drug and alcohol tests as part of the investigation.

READ: Woman killed as overtaking jeep causes crashManibog also directed the Koronadal police to pursue appropriate charges against the driver and his commissioned officer, depending on the findings and the evidence gathered.In a statement, PRO-12 expressed its condolences to the girl’s family and wished her grandmother a speedy recovery.

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 It assured the public that the investigation would be impartial and transparent, stressing that no one was above the law.In a separate directive on Wednesday, PRO-12 ordered all police commanders to strictly enforce existing rules on the safe driving and proper use of government vehicles.The directive reiterated a June 25 memorandum stating that vehicular incidents caused by negligence, recklessness, lack of supervision or failure to observe traffic rules and safety procedures would be subject to appropriate administrative action./coa