PNP records 50% drop in firecracker injuries

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Wed, 01 Jan 2020 04:11:45 +0000

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded more than 50 percent reduction in cases of firecracker-related injuries and indiscriminate firing this New Year revelry compared to last year.

From 794 recorded from December 16 to the first six hours of 2019, the figure went down to only 324 on the same period, according to PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac.

He said the figure includes the 81 firecracker-related injuries, mostly self-injuries by violators of the firecracker ban.

“Based on PNP records, the 2019 probably goes down in history as the safest and most uneventful observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays that posted zero death,” said Banac on a statement posted on Wednesday.

“We are grateful that the people heeded our call to shun the age-old tradition of welcoming the new year with dangerous firecrackers and gunfire that has resulted in death and injuries in previous years,” he added.

Citing PNP data, Banac said there three reported stray bullet incidents in Metro Manila and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

But Banac said those three recorded stray bullet injuries did not result in injuries.

What they have, according to Banac, was seven cases of injuries as a result of indiscriminate firing in BARMM and CARAGA regions days before the New Year revelry.

He said those illegal discharge of firearms resulted in the arrest of three people, including two soldiers in BARMM.

From December 16 last year, the PNP recorded 21 cases of illegal discharge of firearms.

“The PNP arrested 21 persons for illegal discharge of firearms and 44 others for firecracker-related offenses,” said Banac.

Of the 21 arrested for firing guns, 14 were civilians, one PNP personnel, two soldiers, one militiaman, and three security
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