Tagaytay police clarifies: Cops responded early to fatal crash

MANILA, Philippines – After witnesses’ social media posts went viral, Tagaytay City Police on Wednesday clarified that they arrived early and immediately responded to the fatal mishap that killed six teenagers last Sunday morning.

Tagaytay City Police Chief Superintendent Ferdinand Quirante said that even witnesses can attest that the authorities responded immediately.

“Mayroon po tayong testigo on the ground na nagsasabing mabilis ang pagresponde ng mga pulis,” Quirante said,

The police chief said barangay police officers first responded to the accident. He said the responders are members of the Tagaytay Police Community Precinct in Silang, Cavite.

“Ang unang mga rumesponde diyan ay ang ating mga tanod,” Quirante said.

“Within two minutes' time nakarating po ang ating pulis at napuntahan ang area,” he said.

Quirante made the clarification following the spread of social media post of witnesses who claimed that there was no immediate response from authorities at the site. The witnesses said the victims could have been rescued if authorities responded right away.

READ: Witnesses lament 'late' response to Tagaytay mishap

He said the vehicle was already flaming when the police arrived. He also denied the witnesses’ account that the police left the site of accident and that the nearby cafe did not have any fire extinguishers to help put out the flaming vehicle.

“Ang Starbucks at Discovery Suites ay kaagad na nagbigay ng fire extinguishers,” Quirante said.

Quirante recounted that they were trying to contact the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). However, at 2:49 a.m. of Sunday, the desk officer said the BFP cannot be reached.

Since the fire station is about 1.5 kilometers away from the Seminarium Verbum Divinae Road, Tagaytay, Cavite, Quirante said the police opted to fetch the firefighters.

“Hindi ma contact ang BFP dahil parang sira ang telepono, ang ginawa ng ating police nag initiate na sunduin ang BFP,” Quirante said.

Quirante added that they attempted to take out the trapped victims. However, the car’s machine was pushed inside making it difficult for the Scene of the Crime Operatives to take out the victims.

“May attempt po na hugutin [ang mga biktima] pero hindi po mahuhugot. Makikita niyo po [sa mga litrato] na nakaikot 'yung mga paa at hindi niyo mahahatak,” Quirante said.

“Nung dumating 'yung SOCO kinailangan talaga nilang ibuka ['yung sasakyan] para ma-extricate 'yung mga tao,” he added.

The six minors identified as Lauren Calabines, Kirby Bokingo, both 16, Ronalyn Bautista, 17; Jamie-Gubaton-Garcia, 16; John Paul Tena, 15; and John Rosel Garcia, 15, were killed on Sunday morning after the Toyota Vios with license plate AHA 5287, they were riding bumped into a concrete barrier and several trees along a highway in Tagaytay City. It later on burst into flames while the passengers were trapped inside.

The authorities are currently investigating the incident. They are looking into the possibility of drunk driving and overspeeding, and human failure as the causes of the accident.  

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