Twelve people were injured after a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) transport vehicle carrying four prisoners collided with an oncoming passenger multicab along the National Highway in Barangay Kilada, Matalam, Cotabato province.
The crash occurred at about 8:27 a.m. on July 8.
Among those injured were the four prisoners and four BJMP personnel aboard the transport vehicle.
Three passengers of the multicab, which was traveling from Kabacan to Matalam, also sustained injuries along with its driver.
The driver of the multicab remains confined at a hospital in Kabacan, while the other 11 injured individuals have already been discharged after receiving treatment.
According to the Matalam Municipal Police Station, the BJMP vehicle was traveling from Kidapawan City to Midsayap, Cotabato, to bring the four prisoners to a court hearing.
Police investigation showed that a motorcycle allegedly attempted to overtake another vehicle as the BJMP transport vehicle was passing through Barangay Kilada.
The BJMP driver reportedly applied the brakes suddenly. Due to the slippery road caused by continuous rainfall, the transport vehicle skidded into the opposite lane and collided with the oncoming multicab.
The impact caused the BJMP vehicle to veer off the road and overturn, while the multicab was heavily damaged.
Authorities said both parties agreed not to file complaints after reaching a financial settlement covering the damage to the public utility vehicle and the hospitalization expenses of its driver.
Matalam police chief Lt. Col. Marvin Hugos reminded motorists to drive carefully, especially during rainy weather, warning that slippery roads increase the risk of traffic accidents.
Police continue to remind drivers to observe road safety measures and adjust their speed according to weather conditions.
