In a devastating incident on a rainy Sunday night, a police officer lost his life and six others sustained injuries when their patrol vehicle crashed into a house in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. The accident took place at approximately 9:30 p.m. in Barangay Gang, as confirmed by Lt. Col. Esmael Madin, the chief of the Sultan Kudarat Police.
Cpl. Cairodin Rumigas from the Buldon Municipal Police Station succumbed to his injuries at Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital in Barangay Ungab. The crash also left four other officers injured: Sgt. Musa Calocop, Cpl. Baseron Aratuc, Patrolman Ismael Tagadaya, and Patrolman Diamalodin Esmail. Additionally, two male drug suspects from Buldon were also hurt in the accident.
The officers were on their way back to Buldon after accompanying the suspects to the Regional Forensic Unit for drug testing when their vehicle veered off course and collided with a residential structure. According to Lt. Col. Madin, Cpl. Aratuc, who was behind the wheel, reported losing control of the steering wheel.
While the house was damaged in the crash, fortunately, no residents were harmed. Authorities are currently conducting an investigation to gather more information about the circumstances leading to this tragic event.