12 hurt in New Year’s revelry in I.Norte

*No indiscriminate firing and stray bullets reported–INPPO

LAOAG CITY – The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) has reported that the province of Ilocos Norte was generally peaceful during the New Year’s Eve celebration.

Provincial Director PSSupt. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. reported that only 8 incidents of firecracker-related injuries were recorded in the entire province.

However, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Josephine Ruedas reported that the number of firecracker-related cases rose to 12 as of Jan. 2 and it may even go higher as more reports come in the next few days.

Nartatez, Jr. also said that there were no reported incidents of indiscriminate firing and victims of stray bullets.

Last year, PNP data showed one incident of indiscriminate firing, while in 2015, there were 3 incidents.

He said that it was the result of the massive information dissemination drive conducted by all 23 police stations in the province in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 28, which provides for the “Regulation and Control of the use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices,”.

He said that although there was an increased number of firecracker related from 6 cases last year to 8 cases this year, the recent victims only suffered minor injuries. While in 2015, there were 19 victims of firecracker-related injuries.
All victims this year-end were treated as outpatients, he said.
He added that the PNP will continue the implementation of EO No. 28 to safeguard the public.
In Region 1, Police Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, Regional Director of the Police Regional office 1 (PRO1) has reported that the entire region had a “generally peaceful” crime situation from December 16, 2017 to January 1, 2018.
“A total of 80 incidents of firecracker related injuries were recorded which is 61 incidents lower as compared to 141 incidents of the same period last year. One (1) incident of indiscriminate firing was recorded as compared to 12 incidents last year,” he explained.
He cited several factors for the significant increased such in the strict enforcement of Executive Order No. 28, heightened awareness of the public through government and non-government organization’s information efforts and the inter-agency coordination by health officials, local government units and law enforcement agencies.
Sapitula further encourage the citizens to cooperate with the police by reporting any incident of indiscriminate firing of guns or use of prohibited firecrackers. You may report thru PRO1 hotline (072)700-0518, 09178407783 or 09209686779 and we assure speedy response to your complaints. (IS with report from INPPO)