By Jennifer P. Rendon
A police officer was lucky to have sustained minor injuries only after his vehicle rammed into a drug store in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo Wednesday evening.
A footage from a CCTV camera showed that Police Captain Norberto Sipole was driving his Nissan Navara pick-up (license plate ABM-4359) when it hit the signage of the nearby Total Gas Station before plowing into Mercury Drug store located at Barangay San Sebastián.
Despite the impact and damage to the vehicle, Sipole only suffered scratches and lacerations.
He was taken to the nearby Western Visayas Sanitarium in Sta. Barbara town but was later released.
Police Major Raymond Celoso, Sta. Barbara police chief, said the 40-year-old Sipole is a member of the 602nd Provincial Mobile Force Company based in Tapaz, Capiz.
He allegedly came from Tapaz and proceeded to Iloilo City. He was on his way home to Barangay Balibadlan Este, Sta. Barbara when the incident happened.
Celoso said Sipole was drowsy when the incident happened.
“He claimed to have fallen asleep while behind the wheel,” Celoso said.
