CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) on Tuesday reported zero casualties from indiscriminate firing during the New Year revelry in Central Luzon.
PRO3 regional director Chief Superintendent Amador V. Corpus said that although there were 149 firecracker-related injuries in the region, there were no reports of stray bullet incidents in the region during the long holidays.
Corpus said that this figure could be attributed to the series of inspections conducted by the different provincial/city police offices among firecracker manufacturers and stores in the region.
He also said that the massive information drive and campaign initiated by the Philippine National Police together with the various government agencies on the need to regulate or avoid the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices and the designation of firecracker zones imposed by the local government units helped in the attainment of their goal of zero firecracker-related deaths.
In 2016, Central Luzon reported no stray bullet victims with 85 firecracker-related injuries, according to the PRO3 data.
Meanwhile, Corpus said that 71 persons were arrested for violation of Republic Act 7183 (Act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices) and Executive Order 28 (providing for the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices) in 88 operations conducted by the police in Central Luzon from Dec. 15, 2017 to Jan. 1, 2018.
One civilian was also arrested for indiscriminate firing in Nueva Ecija last December 25.
On the other hand, the PRO3 chief said that no police personnel got involved in indiscriminate firing in the region.
“I commend the entire Central police force for a job well done, putting aside their personal convenience and comfort in exchange for a peaceful and safe holiday celebrations,” he added. (PNA)
