Thirty one persons drowned during Holy Week , down from last year's 43, among 53 reported incidents during the period, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Randulf Tuano said in a radio interview on Sunday that the drowning incidents were recorded despite their constant reminders to the public.

"In the 53 (recorded incidents) were drowning incidents. There were also five vehicular accidents, one robbery-holdup in Region 10, and fires in National Capital Region Police Office, Region 8, and Region 9. Then we monitored acts of lasciviousness, stabbing incidents, and other minor small threat incidents", Tuano said.

Tuano said that the observance of Holy Week this year was "generally peaceful" due to the less recorded number of incidents compared to last year. Marie Manalili/DMS