7 drowning incidents reported on Good Friday — PNP

MANILA, Philippines — Seven people have been involved in drowning incidents across the country as of 6 a.m. on Good Friday, April 3, the Philippine National Police reported. 

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the incidents occurred in various swimming areas where police and rescue units were dispatched to respond. 

Nartatez in a statement urged the public to avoid risky water activities during the holiday weekend. 

This Holy Week, more than 99,000 police personnel have been deployed nationwide, including 7,700 at beaches and resorts, 12,400 at pilgrimage sites and churches, and 20,000 at airports and seaports, according to the PNP.

The PNP urged the public to secure personal belongings, follow traffic rules, and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through its 911 hotline.

Good Friday is the peak of the Holy Week break and is the day when most religious processions take place.  

The extended weekend — from Maundy Thursday through Black Saturday — is one of the busiest travel periods in the country, with major bus terminals, airports, and seaports seeing heavy passenger volume in the days leading up to the holiday.