By Ric Sapnu/PNA
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — New Year celebration in Central Luzon was generally peaceful with zero crime incident, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) has reported.
Chief Supt. Joel Coronel, PRO3 regional director, on Wednesday said that there was no reported case of indiscriminate firing and stray bullet incidents from the police and military, as well as from the civilian sector in the region during the period of December 16 to January 1.
“This is due to deployment of about 6,000 police personnel region-wide that started before Christmas,” Coronel said.
Likewise, he said the number of firecracker incidents has tremendously decreased this year compared to 2018 New Year celebration.
From December 16 to January 1 this year, he said there were 94 victims of firecracker-related incidents in seven provinces and two cities in Central Luzon, as compared to 367 victims in 2017.
“The heightened alert and deployment of our policemen have made Central Luzon generally peaceful in welcoming the New Year,” he said.
Meanwhile, as a result of the 26 operations conducted by the police in the region, Coronel said 16 persons were arrested for violation of Republic Act 7183 (An act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and other Pyrotechnic Devices) and Executive Order No. 28 (Providing for the Regulation and Control of the Use of Firecrackers and other Pyrotechnic devices).
“I commend the entire Central Luzon police force for a job well done, putting aside their personal convenience and comfort in exchange for a peaceful, safe and injury-free holiday celebration,” he added.