By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) reported over the weekend that they recorded 20 firecracker-related injuries following the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day celebrations in the province.

NOCPPO’s record covers from December 24, 2021 to January 1, 2022.

According to NOCPPO, 11 of the injuries were minors, with the youngest victim at seven years old while the oldest was 60.

One of the firecracker victims was a female resident of Cadiz City. Investigation revealed that while she was sitting outside of her house a skyrocket or “kwitis” struck her around five minutes before 12 midnight of December 31.

Two others suffered injuries after using a PVC cannon or “boga.”

Data further shows all of the victims were not inebriated, but all of them incurred their injuries outside the designated firecracker zones.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6) registered 33 cases of firecracker-related injuries as of 4:00 a.m. of January 1.

DOH-6 regional director Dr. Adriano Suba-an, during yesterday’s press conference, said the figure is 21 percent lower compared to the 42 reported injuries in the same period in 2021.

Eye injuries with 16 cases and blast injuries with 14 cases not requiring amputation were among the top types of injuries reported in sentinel and non sentinel hospitals.

On the other hand, NOCPPO spokesperson, Police Lt. Abegael Donasco, said they have not recorded any stray bullet incident.

Donasco said there was no muzzle taping since they didn’t receive any order from the Philippine National Police national headquarters.

However, all uniformed personnel were warned prior to New Year’s Day that they could face charges if they are caught unlawfully discharging their firearms./DGB, WDJ