A TOTAL of 62 people reportedly drowned during the Holy Week, while four people died during vehicular accidents, according to the Philippine National Police.
According to PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the said incidents were recorded in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon). It was tallied since April 6.
There were 57 drowning incidents that resulted to 62 deaths, to which the latest was recorded in Batangas to which three people died and two others went missing in Lemery.
There were 11 vehicular accidents resulting to four deaths.
Azuring said however that despite the Holy Week tragedies, he noted that the Holy Week celebration is generally peaceful with no serious security-related incidents.
“We attribute this to police visibility and civilian cooperation for the peaceful observance of the Lenten season,” he added.
The PNP has been on heightened alert since April 2, with almost 75,000 policemen tapped across the country to secure roads, transport hubs and other places of convergence.
The heightened alert status will be lifted at 8 a.m. on April 11, when almost all of those who travelled for the Lenten break are expected to have returned to their homes and workplaces.
“Deployment of personnel will focus now on bus terminals, seaports, and airports as activities and movement of the traveling public will be more in these areas,” Azurin pointed out.
Catherine R. Cueto
