CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – The Police Regional Office-1 has reported that index crimes in the Ilocos region went down by 44 percent during the Holy Week compared to the same period last year. Only nine incidents were reported from April 3 to 9, nine fewer that than the 16 logged from April 11 to 17, 2002. Fourteen drowning incidents were recorded this Holy Week – 11 in Pangasinan, two in La Union, and one in Ilocos Norte, down 30 percent or six fewer than last year with 20. Road crash incidents during the Holy Week also went down by 14 percent, with 70 compared to the previous year with 81. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. John Chua, PRO-1 director, attributed the decrease in crime incidents to the strict implementation of the Philippine National Police “Ligtas Summer Vacation” (Safe Summer Vacation) security plan and the massive information campaign and preventive measures conducted by all police stations and units in the region. “We have maximized the deployment of our personnel in Police Assistance Desks and all places of convergence such as public terminals, churches, and tourist destinations to ensure the safety and security of everyone. Mas pinaigting din natin ang pagbibigay ng kaukulang paalala sa ating mga kababayan at mga bisita (We also constantly remind the people about their security,” Chua said. Chua said PRO-1 is implementing Ligtas Sumvac until May 31 to ensure the peaceful celebration of upcoming holidays and activities such as Labor Day and Flores de Mayo. Index crimes refer to crimes against persons and property such as murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motorcycle, and motor vehicle carnapping.