Traffic enforcer killed in head-on collision after overtaking in Misamis Oriental

• A 46-year-old traffic enforcer died on Jan. 18, 2026, after his motorcycle collided with a car in Barangay Barra, Opol
• Police report the enforcer was attempting to overtake another vehicle when he hit an oncoming sedan driven by a 33-year-old man
• The collision caused the sedan to lose control and plow into a parking zone, damaging five additional motorcycles
• The car driver was released from custody on Monday after reaching an amicable settlement with the affected parties

A 46-year-old traffic enforcer lost his life following a high-impact collision between his motorcycle and a car in Opol, Misamis Oriental, on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

The tragedy has cast a somber mood over the local community, as the victim was a dedicated public servant heading home to Cagayan de Oro City after his shift.

The incident occurred around the vicinity of Barangay Barra. According to the investigation led by the Opol Municipal Police, the traffic enforcer was traveling along the national highway when he allegedly attempted to overtake a vehicle in front of him.

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During this maneuver, he encroached into the opposite lane and collided head-on with an oncoming sedan driven by a 33-year-old male.

The force of the impact was so severe that the enforcer was thrown several meters from his motorcycle.

Bystanders and emergency responders rushed to his aid, but he sustained critical injuries that proved fatal. He was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital.

The collision triggered a secondary accident. Following the initial hit, the driver of the car reportedly lost control of his vehicle.

The sedan veered sharply into a nearby parking area, where it crashed into five stationary motorcycles.

Fortunately, no one was on the parked motorcycles at the time, preventing further casualties.

The 33-year-old driver was initially taken into police custody as part of the standard operating procedure following a fatal road mishap.

By Monday afternoon, January 19, the driver was released from detention.

Police Captain Geraldine Botanas, spokesperson for the Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office, confirmed that the driver reached an agreement with the families of the victim and the owners of the five damaged motorcycles.

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Despite the release, authorities are using the incident as a stern reminder to the public.

"Muli naming pinapaaalahanan naming ang lahat na unahin ang kaligtasan," Capt. Botanas stated. "Laging tingnang Mabuti ang kalsada at suriin ang iyong paligid bago subukang mag-overtake."

In other news, a physical confrontation between two teenagers at a private educational institution in Tagkawayan went viral after a male student was filmed striking his female peer on Wednesday. The assault, which reportedly stemmed from a dispute over malicious rumors, was only halted when a male instructor stepped in to separate the students. The Tagkawayan Police, alongside the Women and Children Protection Desk, have initiated a formal inquiry to address the safety breach within the school. The suspect has been placed under immediate review, with school officials stating that the gravity of the offense may lead to a permanent expulsion from the campus.

Still in other news, a newborn baby girl was rescued after being left abandoned for several hours inside a reusable grocery bag on a sidewalk in Barangay Kamputhaw. Found near a utility pole, the infant was immediately transported to the Cebu City Medical Center, where she is currently in stable condition and undergoing observation. Investigators made a surprising discovery after learning the baby's biological mother was receiving treatment at the very same medical facility where the child was brought. Local authorities are currently evaluating the circumstances to determine if the abandonment was a deliberate act of negligence, which could lead to criminal charges.

Source: KAMI.com.gh