Holy Week generally peaceful – PNP

PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa answers questions at a press briefing in Camp Crame on March 26, 2018. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

The recently concluded Holy Week holiday was generally peaceful throughout the country, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said Monday.

In a statement, Dela Rosa said 35,390 police personnel were deployed to 5,039 Police Assistance Centers to assist travelers and motorists.

The PNP chief also said he authorized regional directors to maintain their current full alert status as they deemed necessary until after travelers and motorists have safely returned to home from the long holiday.

The PNP has embarked on a 90-day summer security and public safety plan from the graduation week in March through the Holy Week, onwards to the Flores de Mayo and fiesta season in May until the opening of classes in June.

Aside from isolated cases of vehicular accidents, sea mishaps and drownings, the National Operations Center (NOC) did not monitor any significant threat to the general peace and order, and internal security as of 6 a.m. of April 2.

NOC data showed 40 drowning incidents in several regions: 10 in CALABARZON, nine in Central Luzon, eight in the Cagayan Valley, five in Bicol, two in Davao and one each in the Ilocos-Pangasinan Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao and Caraga.

Data from the operations center also showed 9 vehicular accidents: four in Central Luzon, two in Bicol and one each in Cordillera, Caraga and Cagayan Valley regions.

PNP rescue units responded to three sea mishaps in the Western Visayan and Caraga regions, while under investigation are two theft and two physical injury cases reported in the Central Luzon and Caraga regions.

From Maundy Thursday, March 29, until Black Saturday, March 31, the NOC monitored 16 separate internal security incidents in Mindanao and Luzon involving threat groups and criminal elements.

These included skirmishes between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) members in Misamis Oriental; a landmine explosion in Camarines Sur; harassment in Masbate; separate encounters in Camarines Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, and Davao del Sur, and an IED explosion in Sulu.

“We thank the general public for cooperating with the Philippine National Police as we continue to serve you and ensure their safety during this summer vacation,” Dela Rosa said. /cbb