Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, issued a statement yesterday touting last Tuesday evening’s New Year’s Eve celebration as the “safest and most uneventful” and, pointed out, there were zero firecracker-related deaths reported.
“We are grateful that the people heeded our call to shun the age-old tradition of welcoming the new year with dangerous firecrackers and gunfire,” he said in a statement.
The law enforcement official cited PNP records and noted there were 324 holiday-related incidents reported nationwide since December 16, which include firecrackers, stray bullets, and the illegal discharge of firearms.
“It should be noteworthy,” he added. “The 324 incidents recorded in 2019 pales in comparison with the 798 recorded in 2018.”
Meanwhile, in his New Year message, PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. General Archie Francisco Gamboa, expressed optimism for 2020.
“Each new year, we have before us a brand new book containing 365 blank pages,” he said. “Let us fill them with new stories of bravery, good deeds, accomplishments, and selfless service.”
“May the year of 2020 give us a renewal of strength,” the PNP official added./WDJ