QUEZON, Bukidnon — What began as a routine nighttime police checkpoint ended in chaos after a speeding vehicle allegedly driven by an intoxicated man plowed into two rookie police officers along a national highway in Quezon, Bukidnon.
The two entry-level patrolmen were manning a regular checkpoint on Saturday night, August 22, when a locally hired vehicle known as a “bao-bao” allegedly slammed into them, according to police investigators. The officers were rushed to a hospital, while the 54-year-old driver was taken into police custody and could face criminal charges and traffic violations.
Routine checkpoint turns into a violent crash
Police said the checkpoint was operating between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. along the national highway. The two officers were positioned at the frontline and holding a signboard when the vehicle, reportedly traveling from Poblacion toward Barangay Libertad, approached at high speed and struck them.
The impact was so strong that the officers’ long firearms were knocked from their hands.
Traffic investigator PSSg. Jerry Nagac said the driver, a resident of Poblacion, Quezon, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Both officers sustained injuries and were immediately brought to a local hospital. Police said they were scheduled to undergo CT scans to further assess their condition.
Driver detained as investigation continues
The driver is now detained at the Quezon police station and is expected to face appropriate criminal charges, along with possible violations of Land Transportation Office regulations, police said.
Authorities have not yet released the full extent of the officers’ injuries or provided further details on the exact charges that will be filed. The case remains under investigation.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by police officers stationed along busy highways, where a routine checkpoint can quickly become a life-threatening situation.
Bukidnon has seen deadly checkpoint crashes before
The latest crash also brings renewed attention to the risks surrounding roadside checkpoints in Bukidnon. In March 2020, a 10-wheeler truck rammed into a quarantine checkpoint in Maramag, Bukidnon, killing three people and injuring another. Police at the time said the truck driver appeared to be intoxicated and was later apprehended after attempting to flee.
While the circumstances of the two incidents are different, both underscore the potentially devastating consequences of reckless and impaired driving—particularly when motorists encounter police officers and other personnel working directly along major roads.
The bigger road-safety concern
For the two young officers, Saturday night’s checkpoint was supposed to be another routine assignment. Instead, they found themselves in a hospital after being struck while on duty.
As investigators move forward with the case against the detained driver, questions over road safety, drunk driving and the protection of frontline personnel at highway checkpoints are once again in focus.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have yet to announce the final charges or provide an updated medical assessment of the injured officers.
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