CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The New Year and Christmas celebrations remained peaceful and orderly, with no major untoward incidents recorded, said PMaj. Joann Navarro in an episode of Talakayan sa PIA, a media forum, at SM CDO City Uptown, here.
Based on monitoring, "We have a one stray bullet incident didto nahitabo sa (that happened in) Maramag Bukidnon niadtong (on) December 24, 11:30 sa kagabion (in the evening)," said Navarro.
In terms of security, the Philippine National Police (PNP)-10 puts as many personnel as possible in places where a lot of people gather, like malls, airports, churches, and tourist spots, so that police can be seen more easily.
Navarro said that the PNP also worked with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and other law enforcement agencies, like the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coastguard, as well as different force multipliers and advocacy groups, to make sure everyone was safe over the holidays.
Pro-active inspections were done based on Republic Act (RA) 7183 with the PNP, BFP, and local government units.
"Sa atong pag-conduct sa pro-active inspection aduna kita'y na confiscate nga illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices (We confiscated illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices during our proactive inspection)," said Navarro.
There was one arrest in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, for selling illegal firecrackers online, but no fires were caused by firecrackers or fireworks.
Engr. Noli de la Rita, information officer of BFP-10, said the top three causes of fire are: 1) electricity, 2) anything to do with cooking, and 3) something that has to do with lighting and the use of candles.
Further, there were 849 fire incidents in 2022, an increase of 30% from 2021.
There are 10 fireworks- and firecracker-related injuries in December 2022 and January 2023.
Dr. Stephanie Grace Zamora, Head, Research, Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Disaster Response Unit, Department of Health-10, said, "We have one stray bullet injury and nine fireworks-related injuries, two of those from Misamis Oriental and eight from Bukidnon with one stray bullet injury." (JMOR/PIA-10)
