Christmas and New Year stray bullet incidents reach 61

MANILA, Philippines  – (UPDATED) Reported stray bullet-related incidents during the Christmas holidays until the New Year celebrations have reached 61, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Sunday, January 4.

In the 393 incidents reported between December 16, 2014 and January 4, 2015, stray bullets caused 43 cases of injuries and one death, according to the PNP. The highest number of stray bullet injuries was reported in the National Capital Region (NCR) at 14.

The PNP also reported 24 cases of illegal discharge of firearms during the period. It arrested 7 cops, 4 security guards, and 6 civilians.

As of 6:00am JAN 3, total firework related injuries was 730 vs. 1,006 in the same period last year; Down 27%

— Doc Eric Tayag (@erictayagSays) January 3, 2015

Fire and firecrackers

The PNP  also reported it confiscated at least 127,930 firecrackers.  So far, it has arrested 57 people who were found selling illegal firecrackers.

According to the PNP, firecrackers also caused fires across the country – 4 in Metro Manila and 4 in other regions including 1, 3, 7, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). In NCR, 3 died and 4 suffered injuries in the blazes, it said.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported 730 firework-related injuries on Saturday, January 3, according to Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag. The figure is 26% lower than the 1,006 cases reported a year ago. 

The DOH said about 55% of reported injuries were due to illegal fireworks.

The DOH is expecting figures to increase as it continues to monitor firework-related incidents until Monday, January 5, Tayag earlier said. 

Due to the widespread injuries caused by the deadly items year in and year out, the health department will ask President Benigno Aquino III to prioritize the passage of a bill “imposing a total ban on the use of firecrackers in the country.” – Rappler.com