By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Despite the recent gun battle which took place in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town and several road accidents, the observance of Holy Week in the province was generally peaceful, according to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO).
NOCPPO spokesperson, Police Captain Judesses Catalogo, said they have not recorded any serious incidents from Holy Monday until Easter Sunday, April 3 to 9.
Around 2,600 police personnel or 95 percent of NOCPPO’s total population were deployed during the period.
Catalogo pointed out the NOCPPO’s high police presence for ensuring peace and security in the province.
He said among the procedures they carried out include routing checkpoints along the major roads as thousands of travelers went home or on vacation in various parts of Negros.
On Maundy Thursday, April 6, an Army soldier and three New People’s Army members were wounded in an encounter in Toboso town.
The 79th Infantry Battalion encountered around 10 NPA insurgents, forcing them to leave Barangay San Isidro’s Sitio Seraje.
On the other hand, three individuals — including two minors — were killed in two separate road accidents in the cities of Victorias and Sagay on Good Friday, April 7.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard District in Western Visayas recorded more than a million sea travelers passing through various seaports in the region during the Holy Week observance.
As of 6:00 p.m. yesterday, 46,731 outbound and 43,471 inbound passengers were recorded by the Coast Guard Station (CGS) in Northern Negros Occidental.
The Aklan and Iloilo CGS recorded the highest number of sea travelers in Western Visayas, with Aklan logging 182,033 outbound and 172,400 inbound passengers, while Iloilo posting 158,357 outbound and 124,638 inbound passengers during the period.
A total of 366 personnel have been deployed in all CGS for the summer vacation operation plan.
Despite the end of Holy Week, the Philippine Coast Guard national headquarters announced on Sunday, April 9, that they will remain on heightened alert for this year’s summer vacation./With a report from PNA / DGB, WDJ