MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it has recorded eight deaths due to drowning from Holy Monday to Maundy Thursday, March 25 to 28.
PNP data showed that six of the eight cases were minors and that all deaths happened in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Davao, and Caraga.
The PNP also reported that a person in Ilocos nearly drowned.
Earlier on Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard said the bodies of two 14-year-old boys, who drowned in the Cagayan River, were retrieved on Maundy Thursday.
Amid the rising number of drowning fatalities, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered local government units to enhance the deployment of personnel to prevent more drowning fatalities.
INQUIRER.net stock photo of drowning
READ: Over 200 died due to drowning from January to March – PNP
“We should learn from the drowning incidents last year, and I am sure the LGUs will deploy emergency teams,” said DILG Undersecretary for Peace and Order Oscar Valenzuela during a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on March 22.
Police officers were likewise deployed in tourist areas like resorts and rivers.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda said in the same press conference: “They will also monitor to make sure that our lifeguards are properly deployed.”
At least 7,000 police officers were tasked with monitoring the deployment of lifeguards and ensuring public safety in tourist areas.
READ: PNP logs 63 drowning, near-drowning incidents in March
Vehicular accidents
The PNP also released data on documented vehicular accidents that resulted in casualties during the Holy Week.
It said several individuals were injured in two separate road mishaps the Bicol Region and another in Eastern Visayas.
The PNP previously said 180,000 security personnel from various law enforcement agencies have been deployed nationwide to ensure public safety during the observance of Holy Week.
The Holy Week, locally known as Semana Santa, is the Catholic Church’s most sacred week in the liturgical year which recalls the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It starts on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday.