PRO8 notes fewer firecracker-related injuries in 2012

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
January 2, 2013

CAMP SEC. RUPERTO K. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) noted a significant decrease in firecracker-related injuries as revelers met the year 2013.

Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria, PRO8 Regional Director, said 2012 recorded a lower rate of firecracker-related injuries as compared to the 2011 Yuletide season.

“This can be attributed to the government's public information and education campaign and the intensified crackdown on illegal firecrackers waged by our men in the field,” Soria said.

Citing data from the Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction Registry on Firecracker-related cases from the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City, Soria informed that from December 16, 2012 to January 1, 2013, only three firecrackers-related incidents resulting in blast/burn type injuries and one eye injury were recorded.

The 3 blast victims includes a 76-year old male, a 10-year old boy and 9-month old baby boy who were wounded due to “piccolo” firecracker while an 11-year old boy sustained eye injury due to lantaka or homemade cannon. All were sent home after receiving proper treatment.

The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health Regional Office 8, however, have no available data on the matter as of this writing while PRO8 records showed 7 victims with Eastern Samar posting the highest with 3 victims while Tacloban City and Leyte province posted at 2 victims each.

Soria further disclosed that his office has not monitored any indiscriminate firing incident and victims of stray bullets regionwide.

The above figure is lower as compared to the same period in 2011 from the PRO8 and DOH 8 records with a total of 23 firecrackers-related incidents that had caused the same number of injuries and one injured due to stray bullet.

"This reduction to a very significant level of firecracker-related injuries and casualties is credited to the vigorous advocacy and close coordination among the police and other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the media to ensure the security and safety of the general public and attain a generally peaceful and violence-free Yuletide celebration,” Soria said.

Days before the New Year and on New Year's Eve, PRO8 launched an intensified crackdown on illegal firecrackers with line units conducting seizure and confiscation of dangerous and prohibited firecrackers, including the "Piccolo', a brand of firecracker that Department of Health has identified as the leading cause of firecracker-related injuries. Other seized firecrackers were Judas belts, rocket launchers, whistle bombs, super lolo, lolo thunder, pla-pla, Pacquiao, goodbye Philippines and great bawang.