by Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday encouraged the public to take extra precaution while swimming in beaches and resorts.
PNP spokesman, Col. Bernard Banac said from April 5 to 10, a total of nine persons including some children died due to drowning.
Out of this number, four drowning incidents happened in the seas of San Antonio, Zambales; Bagac, Bataan; Panglao, Bohol; and Catilan, Surigao del Sur while the rest happened in rivers in Norzagaray, Bulacan and Biñan City, Laguna; swimming pools in Rodriguez, Rizal and Compostela, Cebu; and in a waterfall in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.
“If you plan to swim on a beach, you have to make sure that you are in the company of people who know how to swim,” Banac told reporters in press briefing on Thursday.
He noted that parents or guardians should always pay attention to their children at all times as they might go to the pool or beaches alone.
He also encouraged reading signage on do’s and don’ts in certain beaches and follow restrictions if there are any.
Banac also advised the parents and other people who go on swimming vacation to be aware of the location of first-aid stations and police assistance desks.
The PNP spokesperson said that more than 4,500 police assistance desks have been set up by the PNP in various parts of the country, particularly in roads and tourist destinations. So far, they are manned by more than 25,000 policemen.
Banac said the PNP is encouraging the public to observe precautions especially while travelling to various destinations.
The safety tips were also given to travelers and tourists taking public transportation, as well as visiting churches, beaches and resorts.
Meanwhile, Banac said to ensure the safety of motorists and commuters this Holy Week, the PNP has put all its units in heightened alert.
He also said these security measures will also apply to the coming May 13 elections as well as to the town fiestas for the rest of the month.
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