PNP: Holy week generally peaceful; 26 die of drowning

April 21 ------ THE PNP said the observance of the Holy Week break was generally peaceful but reported 53 incidents throughout the country, mostly drowning cases that left 26 people dead. It vowed to remain on high alert as people return to Metro Manila from the provinces. “We want to report to the Filipino people that it’s generally peaceful, there is a 24 percent decrease (in incidents) compared to the same period last year,” said Col. Randulf Tuaño, chief of the PNP’s Public Information Office. 

Tuaño said the 53 incidents included 31 drowning cases (eight in Calabarzon, six in Central Luzon, four in the Ilocos region, three each in Bicol and Davao region, two each in Cagayan Valley and Mimaropa, and one in Western Visayas, Soccsksargen and Cordillera Administrative Region). Tuaño said this year’s drowning incidents were 28 percent lower compared to last year’s 43. Of the 26 who died, 11 were minors. Five others were rescued while three were injured. 

The other cases recorded during the Holy Week, Tuaño said, were minor incidents, including vehicular, robbery incidents, fire and stabbing incidents. “These 53 incidents, including drowning incidents and vehicular accidents, are 24 percent lower (compared to last year),” said Tuaño. Tuaño attributed this to the PNP’s coordination with other stakeholders, including the Armed Forces, the Philippine Coast Guard, and local government units. Tuaño said some 69,000 policemen remain deployed in strategic areas across the country to ensure peace and order. “There is going to be no reduction of personnel who are deployed throughout the country,” said Tuaño. He also urged people to remain vigilant as they head home in Metro Manila and nearby areas. “To commuters returning to Metro Manila and nearby areas, stay vigilant to ensure you will be home safe,” said Tuaño. 

ROAD ACCIDENTS 

Nearly 400 individuals were injured in road traffic incidents during the Holy Week break, according to the Department of Health (DOH). In a social media post, the DOH reported that almost 400 people were reported injured, according to 50 hospitals across the country. “There were 383 total cases of those involved in road accidents from April 13 to 19,” said the DOH. 

During the Holy Week, the DOH recorded 631 injuries due to road traffic incidents from March 24 to 31. Of the total cases, the health department said 324 were found not to have used safety accessories. The DOH also noted that 296 cases involved motorcycle accidents, five of which resulted in death, while 31 cases involved alcohol intake. 

RED CROSS OPS 

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reported that over 6,397 individuals sought first aid assistance during the Holy Week break, with 5,928 needing to have their vital signs monitored. There were also 434 minor cases, such as abrasion, abdominal pain, bee sting, blister, body weakness, burn, cramps, contusion, difficulty of breathing, dizziness, fainting, fever, headache, heat exhaustion, hypertension, hyperventilation, itchiness, jellyfish sting, joint pain, knee pain, laceration, loss of consciousness, nausea, nose bleeding, numbness, puncture, scratches, sprain, swelling, strain, stomach pain, and vomiting. 

Another 16 cases were considered major, such as asthma, chest pain, loss of consciousness, numbness with dizziness, multiple abrasions, multiple lacerations, shortness of breath, suspected dislocation, and seizure. The PRC said 19 individuals needed to be transported to hospitals after experiencing acute pain on the forehead and wrist, avulsion, bee sting, epigastric pain, hyperventilation, loss of consciousness, pain forehead, laceration on the forehead, hypertension, body malaise, and multiple abrasions. The PRC deployed 1,840 volunteers and 313 staff members to man 375 first aid stations for its Holy Week 2025 operations. 

MMDA DEPLOYMENT 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority deployed over 2,000 traffic enforcers yesterday as vacationers started returning to Metro Manila from their respective provinces after the Holy Week break. Charlie Nosares of the MMDA Traffic Metrobase said MMDA chief Romando Artes ordered the deployment of 2,500 traffic enforcers as authorities braced for the return of the vacationers and the expected traffic build-up on major thoroughfares. “Mayroon tayong nakahandang 2,500 na traffic personnel na naka-antabay para sa pagbabalik lungsod na mga nagbabakasyon ng ating mga kababayan,” Nosares told Teleradyo Serbisyo. 

Nosares said no traffic build-up was monitored as of yesterday morning, despite the ongoing construction and repair works being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways on parts of C5 Road in Pasig City and Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City. The Metrobase, which is monitoring traffic flow in the metropolis on a round-the-clock basis, has not reported any accidents on major roadways. However, Nosares said they expect traffic flow to get heavier on Sunday afternoon. Nosares said they expect a steady stream of vehicles Sunday afternoon until Monday morning when work resumes. “Kaya, paalala aga-agahan ninyo ang pag alis bukas" he added. 

Source: malaya.com.ph