PNP: Holy Week 2019 ‘generally peaceful’

MANILA, Philippines — Holy Week in the country this year was “generally peaceful,” despite several cases of drowning and vehicular accidents, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday.

“Sa buong bansa napaka-ganda ng ating kalagayan. Ang situation natin ay generally peaceful sa buong bansa except sa ilang insidente na kung saan may naitaang nalunod sa iba’t-ibang paliguan at vehicular accidents na marami ring na-injured,” PNP spokesperson Police Col. Bernard Banac said in an interview over AM radio station DZBB.

(It was generally peaceful in the country except several cases of drowning and vehicular accidents, leading to injuries and deaths.)

Banac said there were 30 drowning cases in pools and beaches across the country during the holy celebration despite the authorities’ continued reminders to the public.

In terms of vehicular accidents, one of the major accidents was reported in Kalinga when a truck stalled at a steep part of a road, leading to seven deaths and 15 individuals sustaining injuries.

Another passenger bus in Bicol was also involved in an accident resulting to at least 30 individuals sustaining injuries.

“Patuloy nating paalala sa ating mga motorista na hinahon lang po sa pagmamaneho. ‘Wag idaan sa init ng ulo at wag isabay sa init ng panahon,” Banac said.

(We continue our call for motorists to be calm when driving. Do not be hot-headed amid the hot season.)

While the PNP is still consolidating its Holy Week reports, Banac said that initial checking of records show an “almost zero crime” during the holidays.

Banac attributed this to the tight security employed by the PNP such as random checkpoints across the country.

Banac said several individuals were arrested in checkpoints for illegal possession of firearms. /je