Number of fatalities during Holy Week rises to 32

MANILA, Philippines - The number of people who died in various accidents during the Holy Week rose to 32, disaster management officials reported yesterday.

A report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that 19 drowned, 10 died in vehicular accidents and three perished in a fire.

A total of 78 persons were injured while three others remained missing.

The latest incidents were recorded in La Union, Cagayan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bataan and Quezon provinces.

Among the fatalities was Julius Cayabyab, 9, who drowned in Bulsa River in San Jose, Tarlac last Sunday.

In La Union, Carlo Garcia, 9, drowned in barangay Amontoc in San Gabriel last Saturday at about 11:15 a.m. While another nine-year old named Joshua Siriban drowned in Cagayan River on Maundy Thursday.

Other fatalities died in vehicular accidents. In Isabela, a certain Chris Gorospe, 18, and Jessie Reyes, 20, died in a vehicular accident at Magat Highway Dam, Baligatan Outlay road in Ramon town last Friday. The victims were brought to a local hospital but died before receiving medical treatment.

Overall, 10 fatalities were reported in the Ilocos region, seven each in Central Luzon and Calabarzon, three from Cagayan Valley, two in Cordillera Administrative Region, and one each in Mimaropa, Soccsksargen and Caraga regions.

Out of the 78 injured persons, 77 figured in vehicular accidents. Only one suffered injuries because of a maritime mishap.

A total of 21 persons were injured in Cotabato, 19 in Tarlac, 12 in Valenzuela City, seven in Isabela, five in Bataan, four each in Benguet and Nueva Ecija, three in La Union, two in Abra and one in Agusan del Norte.

Three persons remained missing as of yesterday. They are Antonette Sebian, 36, and Kris Olimpus, 10, who were passengers of a boat that capsized in Agusan del Norte on April 3; and Lonel Jose, 24, who was last seen on Friday at the river banks of Luna, Isabela.

Meanwhile, the PNP reported that there were fewer incidents of stabbing, shooting and vehicular accidents during the Lenten season compared to the same period last year.          

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the PNP National Operation Center (NOC) reported a 40.63 percent decrease in crimes during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday this year, with 19 incidents compared to the 32 cases in April 21 and 22 in 2011.

Quoting the report of PNP NOC director Chief Superintendent Melito Mabilin, Cruz said “the 19 incidents recorded this year is 13 incidents lower than last year covering the same period.”

“This year’s Lenten season is generally peaceful. There was a significant decrease in the number of Lenten season related incidents this year compared with last year. The security preparations undertaken by the PNP paved the way for the orderly observance of this yearly event,” Mabilin’s report stated.

A total of 6,493 police action centers were set up nationwide and 20,795 police personnel were deployed and provided the necessary assistance to motorists. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe