AT least 31 people, including a Japanese national, died and 62 others were injured in various incidents during Holy Week.
Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said in a report the incidents were recorded starting Holy Thursday until the early hours of Easter Sunday.
Chavez reported that 22 people drowned and two were missing; while four died and 55 were injured in nine vehicular accidents. One person also died when a motorized outrigger capsized.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, on the other hand, reported 13 incidents of drowning in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Northern Mindanao and the Cordillera regions.
The NDRRMC identified the fatalities in the drowning incident in Calabarzon as Jimson and Lazaro Boa, John Joseph Mendoza and Herminigildo de Castro from Calaca, Batangas.
The victims were drowned while trying to save Lorenzo Boa who also died in the incident.
The NDRRMC also identified the other victims as Dennie Guillermo, 34 (Gattaran, Cagayan); Kecy Joyce Campol, 13 (Lamut, Ifugao); Lebino Sama Espara Jr., 32 (Bokod, Benguet); Sherwin Paraiso, 20 (Lopez, Quezon); Christian Asitre, 19 and Arlene Nepomuceno, 12, all of Sariaya, Quezon; Gilbert del Rosario, 46 (San Juan, Batangas) and Pearl Yvana Baldea, 7 (Taal, Batangas).
Chavez also reported that a councilor was shot dead by his twin brother in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, and another was killed in a strafing incident at the residence of a mayor of Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
During the period, Chavez said two Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while seven Army troopers were wounded in fighting in Albarka, Basilan.
Separate fighting also broke out between Muslim rebels and security forces in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan and New People’s Army rebels in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, but the government suffered no casualties.
A bus robbery occurred in Makati City. Police also reported a grenade throwing incident on the highway of Placer, Surigao del Norte, but the grenade did not explode.
The NDRRMC reported fires that injured 42 people during Holy Week.
As thousands of commuters and vacationers from the provinces returned to Metro Manila, Mayor said police deployed in various terminals, ports and road networks were directed to ensure the safety of the traveling public.
The Palace said Sunday that even as the Holy Week ends, security measures will remain tight in airport, ports and bus terminals.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said security will remain a priority to ensure the safety of passengers coming from provinces.
“In their travel back to Manila from the provinces after the Holy Week, the level of preparedness and measures of the government will remain high against any threat,” Coloma said.
In light of the Brussels bomb attacks that killed more than 30 people, President Benigno Aquino III has ordered that security measures in airports, seaports and bus terminals be beefed up. With Sandy Araneta
