5 dead, 5 injured in PNP vehicle crash

MANILA, Philippines — Five inmates died after a Philippine National Police vehicle crashed into a concrete wall in Quezon City yesterday, an accident that also left another inmate and four escorting PNP officers injured.

Initial investigation showed that the four police officers were using a pick-up truck to transport six inmates to the Quezon city jail.

Probers said the vehicle was on a downward portion of Paya­tas Road when it crashed into a concrete wall at the corner of Legaspi street in Barangay Payatas at around 11:30 a.m.

Maj. Jennifer Gannaban, spokesperson for the Quezon City Police District, said emergency responders brought the inmates and police officers to a hospital for treatment.

Five of the inmates were declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

“One person under police custody is currently confined in the operating room and undergoing medical treatment,” Gannaban said in a message on Viber.

Gannaban did not disclose the identities of the prisoners and the cases they are facing.

She added that the four police officers, a master sergeant and three patrolmen, are undergoing treatment for injuries.

Investigators said the truck’s brakes malfunctioned, which resulted in the road crash.