TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) – Eastern Visayas was generally peaceful as it welcomed the New Year 2023 with no reported incidents on stray bullets, indiscriminate firing, and deaths due to firecracker-related incidents.
This was attributed to the intensified and strengthened security measures made by the police force in the region with the cooperation of the public.
In a press statement released by the Police Regional Office 8 through the Regional Public Information Office, Police Brigadier General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, regional director of PRO8, described the outcome of the festivities as peaceful as there had been no serious firecracker-related incidents in the region.
“Your PRO-8 is glad that we welcomed the New Year generally peaceful. We, in the PNP assure the public of our dedicated service,” General Marbil said.
Police Colonel Ma. Bella D. Rentuaya, PRO-8 spokesperson, said police assistance desks were established and police personnel were mobilized to conduct foot and mobile patrol all over the region that helped secure the public’s safety.
Based on the DOH-8 surveillance monitoring from December 21, 2022 to January 5, 2023, a total of seven (7) firecracker-related injuries have been recorded in Eastern Visayas.
Of the seven reported, three (3) were adults, two (2) were teenagers aged 13 and 16 years old, and two (2) were children aged 10 and 5 years old, respectively.
The first case was reported on December 29 when a 42-year old woman from Tanauan Leyte sustained injuries on her right thigh due to kwitis, while the 45-year-old male from Catbalogan City suffered amputation on his index finger due to 5-star blasting.
The victim from Catbalogan was immediately brought to the Samar Provincial Hospital but later referred to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City.
The famous ‘kwitis” also caused injuries to a 42-year-old male in Catubig, Northern Samar.
In addition, a 10-year-old boy from Zumarraga Samar suffered eye injury due to lantaka, but was immediately treated and sent home.
The two teenagers, aged 13 and 16 years old respectively, both suffered blast injuries.
The latest reported case was a 5-year-old boy from Pambujan, Northern Samar who sustained injuries due to kwitis.
This year’s injuries is 40% higher than the previous year which recorded five (5) cases only, Jelyn Lopez-Malibago, DOH-8 regional information officer said. (MMP/CBA/PIA-8)
