PNP records 66 deaths due to drowning, road accidents during Holy Week
At least 62 people died of drowning while four others died of vehicular accident since the start of the Holy Week break, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Monday, April 10.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said the incidents were reported from Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) since Thursday, April 6.
He said a total of 57 drowning incidents were reported with 62 deaths—the latest reported was in Batangas wherein three people died while two others went missing in Lemery town.
On the other hand, 11 vehicular accidents were reported with four deaths.
Despite the Holy Week tragedies, Azurin said the observation of the Lenten is generally peaceful with no serious security-related incidents occurred since Thursday, April 6.
“We attribute this to police visibility and civilian cooperation for the peaceful observance of the Lenten season,” said Azurin.
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 Tuesday, 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," said Azurin.
He reiterated his appeal to travelers, including those using their own vehicles, to take extra precautions by observing traffic rules and speed limits to prevent vehicular accidents.