PNP logs 53 Holy Week incidents, drowning tops list

Fifty-three incidents of drowning, vehicular accidents, fire, and other crimes were monitored nationwide throughout the observance of this year’s Holy Week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Easter Sunday.

PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Randulf Tuaño said that Holy Week 2025 has been “generally peaceful” with less incidents recorded as compared to last year.

“Itong 53, kasama na po diyan ang drowning incidents. Meron tayong vehicular accidents na 5. Robbery-holdup na isa sa Region 10, at nagkaroon tayo ng sunog sa NCRPO, Region 8, at Region 9. Tapos meron tayong acts of lasciviousness, stabbing, at mga maliliit na mga threat,” Tuaño said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(Included in the tally were drowning incidents. There were also 5 vehicular accidents, one robbery-holdup in Region 10, and fire in NCR, Region 8, and Region 9. There were also cases of acts of lasciviousness, stabbing, and small threats that were monitored.) 

The police official lamented that despite repeated reminders to the public, drowning incidents remained high at 31. This was, however, 28% lower than the 43 drowning incidents logged during last year’s Holy Week. 

“Ang napansin namin dito, bagama’t bumaba po siya ng 28%, ‘yung drowning incidents, meron po tayong mga kababayan na nasawi po kasi ang buhay dito sa insidente na ito,” Tuaño added. 

(Even though the drowning incidents this year were 28% lower, there were still people who died because of it.) 

The PNP earlier raised the alarm over the rising number of drowning incidents as families continue to flock to beaches and other swimming destinations this summer season. 

This, as 15 individuals reportedly died due to drowning from April 13 to 18, alone.

Meanwhile, Tuaño said that the PNP’s heightened alert status will remain in effect even after the Holy Week. He said up to 69,000 police personnel would be deployed until May 31, in light of the upcoming national and local elections. —RF, GMA Integrated News