MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said that 212 individuals drowned in beaches and rivers across the country from January to March.
Based on police data sent to INQUIRER.net, PNP reported that a total of 223 individuals were involved in drowning incidents from January to March 28.
Aside from the 212 deaths, eight of the 223 were injured, while three were unharmed.
According to the report, the highest number of fatalities were recorded in Western Visayas with 28, followed by Calabarzon at 27, and Central Luzon with 20.
PNP’s data also revealed that 82 incidents happened in rivers and 20 on beaches, while the other incidents’ locations were not specified.
READ: PNP logs 63 drowning, near-drowning incidents in March
Most, or 184, of the individuals of those who drowned were males, while 39 were females, with their ages ranging from 5 to 63.
PNP has yet to consolidate the number of drowning incidents for Holy Week but revealed that three teenagers have already died after drowning in the rivers of Cagayan and Davao del Norte.
To avoid more drowning fatalities, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier ordered local government units (LGUs) to enhance their personnel deployment.
On March 22, DILG Undersecretary for Peace and Order Oscar Valenzuela said the agency, through a memorandum, directed LGUs to activate their peace and order councils and their local risk reduction and management councils to prevent such incidents.
On the other hand, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said 7,000 police officers would also be deployed in tourist areas like resorts and rivers to monitor the deployment of lifeguards and ensure public safety.