A car plowed through a crowd of spectators injuring four people at an illegal drag race in the Philippines.

Video taken in Baggao town in Cagayan province on February 20 shows two sedans racing on the road while an audience watched on the sidelines. One of the cars apparently lost control and rammed into the onlookers before crashing into a parked truck.

Four people, including two minors and the 42-year-old driver named Renato Soriano, were injured.

The event was allegedly sponsored by Mayor Joan Dunuan and organised by the Baggao Lancer Elite Club as part of the group's founding anniversary. However, the Cagayan Police Provincial Office said they did not know drag racing would be involved.

Cagayan Police Public Information Officer Captain Isabelita Gano said: 'Our officers had no idea there would be a drag race. But actually, the club claimed it wasn't a drag race and they were just testing out how fast their cars could go.

'They told the police it would just be a parade and nothing else.'

However, the local council has questioned the presence of a uniformed police officer who was among the spectators at the event and was clearly seen in the amateur video.

Isabelita said: 'The policeman seen in the video was assigned to patrol that area regularly.'

Renato will be facing a charge of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries. The club has also apologised for the damage their celebration has caused.

An ordinance in Baggao town was passed in October 2020 that forbade drag racing in the town, the provincial office said.