CAMP MARCELO A. ADDURU, Tuguegarao City — Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2) has declared this year’s observance of Holy Week as generally peaceful, except for some drowning incidents and vehicular accidents.
In an interview with Philippine News Agency (PNA), Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, PRO2 regional director, attributed the peaceful observance of Semana Santa to the timely security preparations by the Philippine National Police to ensure safety and security of the people in churches, other pilgrimage sites and even in tourist destinations in Cagayan Valley.
Espino said that no major incidents happened between March 29 and April 1, 2018 except for petty crimes.
He also thanked the support of other law enforcement agencies of the local government units (LGUs), volunteer radio groups, as well as the cooperation of the public.
Meanwhile, PRO2 recorded 10 drowning incidents during the Holy Week. However, the number of drowning cases dropped by seven incidents or 41 percent lower compared to the 17 cases recorded during the same period last year, according to the report of the Regional Operations and Plans Division.
Espino said the decrease was also due to the concerted efforts of the police and other law enforcement agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, LGUs, force multipliers and rescue volunteers.
PRO2 remains in full alert until the opening of classes on June 13, 2018. (Simeon Dilan/PNA)