DILG warns public: Avoid swimming while drunk this summer

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday warned the public against swimming while under the influence of alcohol while on vacation during the Holy Week and summer season.

“We won’t arrest them. Having fun over the Holy Week isn’t a crime. Just don’t be intoxicated while swimming. Either one is enough. Either drink or swim, but don’t have them both at once,” Remulla, speaking Filipino, said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

READ: PNP to public: Observe water activity safety guidelines

“We will deploy the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard to our coastal areas to explain to people and keep them from swimming past 10 p.m. because that’s when most drowning cases happen,” Remulla said in Filipino.

Data shared by the PNP at the briefing showed there were 64 incidents of drowning during the Holy Week in 2025, which is higher than the 43 incidents the agency recorded during the same period in 2024.

For its part, the PNP is deploying 98,636 police officers for the Holy Week and is now on full alert as part of security measures for the influx of travelers and tourists. /jpv