TIGBAO, Zamboanga del Sur — A 51-year-old tricycle driver was arrested after allegedly speeding through a police checkpoint, nearly hitting two officers and crashing his vehicle just moments later along a national highway in Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur.
The incident happened at around 6:10 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, while personnel of the Tigbao Municipal Police Station were conducting a checkpoint operation, according to the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office.
Police spokesperson Capt. Derf Jay Maquinta said the driver of a red Bajaj RE tricycle was traveling from Lakewood toward Pagadian City when he allegedly overtook another vehicle being inspected and continued through the checkpoint without stopping.
Authorities said the tricycle nearly struck two police personnel, who were able to move out of the way and avoid injury.
Instead of stopping, the driver allegedly accelerated as police gave chase. About 300 meters from the checkpoint, he reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing the tricycle to crash and overturn.
Police said the driver was believed to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. He sustained minor bruises, while his two passengers, aged 20 and 23, suffered minor injuries and complained of chest pain.
All three were initially taken to the Tigbao Rural Health Unit. The two passengers were later referred to Pagadian City for further medical evaluation.
The driver is now in police custody as authorities prepare the appropriate charges.
A troubling pattern of checkpoint incidents
The Tigbao incident comes amid other recent cases involving motorists allegedly fleeing or crashing into police checkpoint personnel in different parts of the Philippines.
In Quezon, Bukidnon, two rookie police officers were injured on August 22 after a speeding vehicle locally known as a “bao-bao” allegedly driven by an intoxicated man struck them during a regular highway checkpoint, according to reports by Inquirer Mindanao. The driver was detained and faced possible criminal and traffic-related charges.
Meanwhile, Pilipino Star Ngayon reported that a police officer in Marikina was hospitalized after allegedly being hit by a motorcycle rider who fled a checkpoint earlier this month. The rider was subsequently arrested and reportedly faced allegations including direct assault and resistance or disobedience to a person in authority.
The separate incidents underscore the dangers faced by both law enforcers and motorists when drivers fail to stop at checkpoints or operate vehicles while allegedly impaired.
For the passengers involved in the Tigbao crash, the consequences were immediate: a routine trip ended in injuries and a hospital visit after the driver allegedly chose to speed away from authorities.
Police continue to investigate the incident, and any criminal liability will ultimately be determined through the proper legal process.
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