5 fireworks-related amputations recorded

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded five cases of traumatic amputations due to fireworks use the day after Christmas.

Its latest Fireworks Related Injury (FWRI) Report said the victims were three minors and two adults, all male, from across the country. This resulted in lost or mangled fingers and hands.

“To blame are the illegal boga, plapla, five-star, Goodbye Philippines fireworks and the legal whistle bomb,” the DOH said.

The agency noted that cases involving amputations were included in the 24 new cases of fireworks-related injuries recorded as of 5:59 a.m. of Dec. 26. Those injured were five to 52 years of age, with only one female.

Twenty-two (92 percent) cases occurred at home or in nearby streets while 21 (88 percent) had active involvement, with 16 (67 percent) of the fireworks being illegal.

The DOH said this now brings the total count to 52 fireworks-related injuries cases, with the National Capital Region (20), Central Luzon (6), and Soccsksargen (5) contributing six out of every ten cases.

“Losing a finger, hand or arm is painful, expensive and traumatic. Say goodbye to fireworks use at home instead of saying goodbye to your fingers,” the health department warned.

Crackdown

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified law enforcement

operations against sellers of prohibited firecrackers ahead of the New Year’s Eve festivities, including those who are using online platforms to sell banned fireworks.

PNP chief information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said they are closely monitoring cyberspace for people who are selling banned firecrackers on social media platforms.

She added that police officers will also conduct random inspections of public markets, retail stores and stalls along the street for prohibited firecrackers.

The Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) is working closely with the Anti-Cybercrime Group in tracking down people selling banned firecrackers online.

Among these firecrackers is Goodbye Hamas, a type of firecracker made to look just like a fountain but explodes like a grenade, according to Lt. Arturo Garingan of the FEO’s explosives management division.

The FEO said firecrackers should only have a maximum of 0.3 grams of gunpowder. However, Garingan said that Goodbye Hamas has about 400 grams of gunpowder, which makes it as deadly as an improvised explosive device.

Among the other banned firecrackers are Watusi, Piccolo, Goodbye Napoles, Goodbye De Lima, Goodbye Bading, Goodbye Philippines, Kabasi, Giant Bawang, Coke-in-Can, Judas Belt, Giant Whistle, Hello Colombia, Super Yolanda, Pillbox Star, Atomic Bomb, Poppop, Pla-Pla and Super Lolo.

Police units have so far confiscated 34,158 prohibited firecrackers nationwide worth P190,390, while eight people have been arrested.

Fajardo said 11 people were injured due to firecrackers and seven were taken into custody for illegal discharge of firearms. The official likewise urged people to use alternative devices such as torotot or trumpet in welcoming the New Year.

Injuries

In Dagupan, Pangasinan, four persons were injured when a pile of firecrackers stored in a house under construction exploded shortly before midnight on Monday in Barangay Malued.

Reports from the Pangasinan PNP provincial office identified the injured victims as Rogelio Solomon, 48, and Raymundo Lazaro, 38, both residents of Barangay Malued; Jaquiline Velasco, 49, and Roan Velasco, 44, both residents of Barangay Caranglaan.

Initial investigation said the explosion happened about 11:30 p.m. Monday

after one of the injured victims reportedly lit a cigarette during a drinking spree near the room where the firecrackers were stored.

Police said the four injured victims were rushed to the Region I Medical Center-Annex in Barangay Bonuan Binloc for treatment. Further reports said four nearby houses were also damaged during the explosion.

The police with the personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection, the city disaster risk reduction and management council and the Public Order and Safety Office immediately responded.

The local police is coordinating with the Explosive and Ordnance Division/K9 office of the Pangasinan PNP provincial office to conduct post blast investigation.

Meanwhile, a 61-year-old man was injured by an exploding kwitis on Christmas Day in Zambales.

Reports reaching Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr., Central Luzon regional police director, identified the victim as Danny Alcayde, a retired US Army personnel and a resident of Purok 2 Barangay Patrocinio, San Narciso, Zambales.

Initial investigation showed that the victim erected and lighted a kwitis on the sand in their place around 6:30 p.m. However, it failed to shoot up and instead exploded on the ground.

The explosion caused a splinter of the kwitis stick to pierce the victim’s left arm, causing a minor injury. He was treated at the San Marcelino District Hospital. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Cesar Ramirez, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Emmanuel Tupas