NIR Holy Week peaceful, orderly — PRO

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region reported a peaceful and orderly observance of Holy Week from March 29 to April 5, crediting the outcome to its comprehensive security deployment across the region.

Holy Week is among the busiest travel and religious observance periods in the Philippines, drawing large crowds to churches, resorts, beaches and transport hubs.

A total of 36 incidents were recorded during the period, most of them classified as non-index crimes and manageable.

Authorities said all cases were promptly addressed through swift police response and effective coordination, preventing escalation and helping maintain overall peace and order.

The PRO-NIR described its Lenten security operations as a success, highlighting proactive policing strategies, well-planned deployment and strong public cooperation.

As part of its efforts, the regional office carried out Red Teaming operations across all police units to assess and strengthen the implementation of safety and security measures in line with Holy Week operational guidelines.

“These operations ensure that every deployment is not just present, but purposeful, precise, and prepared. They serve as our reality check—we do not wait for incidents to reveal gaps,” said Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director.

Police presence was also heightened at beaches, resorts and other tourist destinations to manage crowds and traffic across the region.

The PRO-NIR said close coordination with local government units in Negros Occidental, including its highly urbanized city, as well as Negros Oriental and Siquijor, along with partner agencies, played a key role in ensuring the smooth and orderly conduct of both religious and recreational activities.

The Coast Guard District Southern Visayas monitored 13,339 travelers in seaports as of April 5.

Of the total, 7,005 were outbound passengers and 6,334 were inbound passengers.

A total of 27 motor bancas, seven vessels and 16 rolling cargoes were inspected, with no maritime-related incidents reported.

DROWNING

A 7-year-old boy from Victorias City, Negros Occidental, drowned in Barangay Nanca, E.B. Magalona, while swimming with his family on Easter Sunday.

Police said the victim’s uncle later noticed the child already floating in the river.

The victim was immediately rescued and brought to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.