New Year ‘peaceful’ but 37 firecracker injuries reported

CEBU, Philippines — The celebration of New Year had been peaceful but a total of 37 individuals sustained firecracker-related injuries in Central Visayas, majority of whom from Cebu Province, from December 21, 2022 to January 1, 2023.

In a report, the Department of Health-7 said that a total of 37 firecracker-related injuries with two cases of stray bullet-related injuries were reported over the said period

Half of those injured, or 16 out of 32, were in Cebu Province; six from Lapu-Lapu City; four from Cebu City; four from Bohol Province; four from Negros Oriental; and two from Siquijor Province.

No one was reported to have died due to firecracker-related injuries but a 15-year-old boy from Lapu-Lapu City was hit by a stray bullet while he and his family were celebrating New Year.

DOH-7 said that the victim sustained minor scratch/wound on the left arm, was rushed to Lapu-Lapu City Hospital for immediate treatment, and was sent home with improved condition.

The health department has not provided any details as to the other victim of stray bullet.

Also, lantaka (8 cases) was the top cause of the injuries, followed kwitis and triangle with four each; hotdog, boga, Judas Belt, and unknown firecrackers with two each; and two stray bullets.

Most of those who were injured were in the hands (14); eye (13); head and legs (4 each); thigh and neck (3 each); forearm/arm, abdomen and chest (2 each); and feet (one).

As to the distribution of cases per place of occurrence, 26 cases were reported to have occurred at home; 10 cases were reported to have occurred in the streets; and one case was reported to have occurred as others.

Furthermore, 21 cases were reported for active involvement, meaning the victim intentionally participated in the use of firecrackers, and 16 cases for passive involvement, meaning the victim was inadvertently hit.

Peaceful

Meanwhile, the New Year celebration in Cebu was "generally peaceful," according to police assessment.

Both the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) said they only recorded minimal firecracker-related incidents and no stray bullet cases during the revelries.

CCPO Director Col. Ireneo Dalogdog said on Monday, January 2, that their "iwas paputok" program was effective, but they had confiscated several firecrackers worth P28,714 being sold outside the firecracker-designated zone.

Among the firecrackers seized were whistle bomb, kwitis (skyrocket), butterfly, luces, lubentador, and Judas Belt sold in Barangays Inayawan and Guadalupe, particularly in Banawa. However, the vendors were able to escape arrest.

They also recorded other incidents, such as the fire that broke out in Barangay Pahina San Nicolas, Cebu City; the shooting incident involving two drunk colleagues in Nivel Hills, Lahug; and the stabbing incident in Barangay Bacayan, Cebu City, which Dalogdog said was unrelated to the New Year celebration.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Mark Gifter Sucalit, deputy director for operations of the CPPO, said the New Year activities in the province were also orderly and harmonious.

Sucalit said they had not recorded any untoward incident, adding that most of the firecracker-related injuries were minor incidents.

"Based sa data nato these are more on minor incidents nga gipunit ang mga firecracker and at the same time sa paglabay nibuto," said Sucalit.

[Based on our data, these were more minor incidents where firecrackers were picked up but exploded before being thrown.]

He said they had not received any reports of body parts amputation because of such injuries.

Sucalit said the public's cooperation in their anti-firecracker campaign and interventions was helpful. Therefore, fewer injuries were logged.

He also lauded the efforts of the local government units (LGUs) in maintaining peace and order in their areas. –  Robhe Jane C. Yara, JMD (FREEMAN)