THE Police Regional Office (PRO 7) has recorded a total of 14 firecracker incidents during the New Year revelry, resulting in two fatalities and seven injuries.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, spokesperson for PRO 7 OIC Police Brigadier General Roy Parena, said the fatalities included a 10-year-old boy from Talisay City, who died in an explosion from Goodbye Philippines, and a vlogger from Asturias, northwest Cebu, who was fatally injured after a powerful firework exploded in his face as he was trying to figure out why it hadn't detonated.
According to Rafter, one of the injured was hit by a stray bullet in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.
Another stray bullet incident was reported in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, but no one was hurt.
The PRO 7 is now working with the PNP Forensic Unit to do ballistics analyses on the bullets in order to determine the guns from where the stray shots originated and possibly identify their owners.
"Mag file ta og kaso kung ato mahibaw-an kinsa ang nagpabuto ug mo coordinate ta sa Regional Civil Security Unit 7 kung lisensyado ba ang armas," Rafter stated.
(We will file a case if we are able to identify the shooter, and will coordinate with the Regional Civil Security Unit 7 to find out if the weapon is licensed).
The PRO 7 also documented two intoxicated individuals who suffered injuries during a fistfight.
According to Rafter, the police and other government agencies, such as the Bureau of Fire and the Department of Health, have consistently warned the public against using large explosives during Christmas and New Year's celebrations.
“Wala ta mag kulang sa pagpahimangno nga dili mogamit sa mga gi bawal nga pabuto gani sige tag panawagan nga dili mogamit anang mga bawal pero naay uban sa online mopalit og mga pabuto nga dagko kaayo pareho anang Goodbye Philippines, mohangyo gyud ta sa atung katawhan nga ato gyud likayan ang ingun ani nga pabuto kay naa natay datus naa natay history nga dili gyud maayo,” Rafter said.
(Although the public has already been warned several times not to use prohibited fireworks, some people have purchased large explosives, such as Goodbye Philippines, online. We are requesting that people refrain from using these firecrackers since we already have data showing that they are unsafe).
"Siguro nakuha ni sa mga biktima diha bitaw sa black market, or kanang ginapalusot especially during nga hinangat na bitaw ang oras para sa bag-ong tuig, diha man gud na usually manggawas gyud kining mga illegal nga pabuto," she added.
(Perhaps the victims obtained the prohibited firecrackers from the black market or from those that were smuggled as the new year approached, when illegal firecrackers are usually released).
In spite of these, the PRO 7 described the celebration as generally peaceful and orderly. (AYB)
