Holy Week death toll rises to 25

MANILA, Philippines - The number of persons who died during Holy Week has risen to 25, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday.

The fatalities were reported in the National Capital Region, Ilocos, Calabarzon, Bicol and Central Visayas.

Of the 25 fatalities, 11 died of drowning, eight in road mishaps, three from bullet wounds, two in fire incidents and one due to stabbing.

The fatalities included Hernando Ybe, 57, who died in a fire in Quezon City; Eliseo Nagamus, 36, and Nestor Valdez, 60, who drowned in Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur, respectively; and Librado Marundan who drowned in Taal Lake.

Four persons died in a vehicular accident in Batangas: Chona Abejar, 34, Jhon Jhon Senado, 12, Junel Senado, 17, and Lucilo Concepcion, 52.

Angelo Peña of Sariaya, Quezon and Jasper Diesta of Sorsogon also died in road mishaps.

In Leyte, Jerome Bombeo, 50, died of drowning.

In Catanduanes, Diogenes Fernandez was stabbed to death while Jerome Bernal succumbed to bullet wounds.

A total of 583 persons were injured in 57 incidents last week. Of the number, 493 incidents were recorded in Metro Manila, with 490 hurt during the Black Nazarene procession in Quiapo on Good Friday.

Thirty-six incidents happened in Calabarzon, 30 in Cordillera, seven in Cagayan Valley, six in Ilocos, six in Northern Mindanao, four in Central Luzon and one in Bicol.

Three persons – Bonifacio Gautno of Sorsogon; Cristy Dion, 39, of Pangasinan; and Apple Carion, 13 of Occidental Mindoro – remain missing.