Dream Cut Short: Tabuk Criminology Student dies in Bontoc Crash

Bontoc, Mountain Province – The dream of a young criminology student from Tabuk City to be one of the enforcers of the law was tragically cut short after he lost his life in a motorcycle accident in the early hours of January 18, 2026, along Barangay Alab Oriente in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

Based on a report from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Bontoc (MDRRMO-Bontoc), the local police station identified the fatality as Janel Balac Palacio of Dalimuno, Bantay, Tabuk City.

Janel’s brother, Jeryx Kian Palacio, was also harmed in the accident, suffering injuries.

Police investigations revealed that Janel was the pillion passenger, while the brother was driving the motorcycle when the tragic accident occurred.

According to the Bontoc Municipal Police Station, the two were heading toward Sitio Dantay from Barangay Bontoc Ili when the motorcycle overshot a curved portion of the road past 2:00 a.m.

Upon arriving at the crash site in Sitio Dantay, responding authorities found the motorcycle and Janel’s body trapped between bamboo trees, approximately five meters below the roadway.

Janel was declared dead at the scene and was later brought to the Bontoc General Hospital morgue. Meanwhile, Jeryx Kian sustained injuries and was rushed to the same hospital for medical treatment.

As of this writing, further investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

On social media, friends and relatives expressed grief over what happened to the brothers and extended their sympathies to the bereaved family.

“Rest in God’s paradise, ading ko Janel Palacio. Nasapa met launay iti inka ipapanaw, ading ko. Han ta man nga ajy ka close, pero kas relative mo, nasakit met ading ko iti inkaipupusay. May your soul be at peace, ading ko. Agpakatatag ka, Aunty Sheryl Balac Palacio (mother of the victims),” wrote one of the relatives.