PNP: Peaceful revelry, few injuries
NEW YEAR CELEBRATION IN PANGASINAN
PANGASINENSES welcomed 2010 in the province with no major incidents reported and for the first time in many years, there was no injury from stray bullets.
Two days before the New Year’s Eve celebration, Police Provincial Director Percival Barba led the symbolic sealing of muzzle of all issued firearms to ensure that they will not be used for indiscriminate firing on New Year’s Eve.
“We are happy to tell you that we have not received any report of stray bullet incidents during the New Year revelry,” Barba said.
Last year, four cases of stray bullets were reported in Pangasinan.
All town and city police chiefs were ordered to enforce the sealing of firearms with masking tape in their respective areas, including registered guns owned by private citizens, the guns of policemen, and the shotguns issued by the provincial government to the 1,330 barangay chairman in Pangasinan.
Twelve hours before midnight of December 31, the new Region 1 Police Director, Chief Superintendent Constante Azares Jr., also led a ceremonial covering of nozzles of firearms issued to the personnel of the police force in the region.
“The taping of the muzzle was done to show to the public that the Region 1police is very supportive of the campaign against indiscriminate firing. Actually, the instruction is not only to the policemen but also to all those who have guns to please be responsible gun owners and do not illegally discharge their firearms during the celebration to avoid accidents,” Azares said.
Also before the New Year celebration, Azares led the destruction of 1,064 packs of “piccolo”, a banned firecracker, as part of the government’s “Iwas-Paputok” campaign.
“I’d like to assure everyone that our “Iwas Paputok” campaign on is being carried out assiduously, as exemplified by this recent accomplishment of the San Fernando City Police Station. Last year, 58% of the recorded injuries from firecrackers were caused by “piccolo”, so we are particularly on the lookout for that firecracker,” Azares said.
INCIDENTS
Meanwhile, among the reported incidents related to the New Year celebration is a fire that burned down 20 firecracker stalls in San Manuel town.
No one was injured in the fire, which was set off by a cigarette that accidentally fell on one of the pyrotechnics for sale.
In Dagupan, two separate blasts were reported, destroying an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of Banco de Oro branch on A.B. Fernandez Avenue and a traffic outpost of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO).
Barba also said there were a few stabbing incidents reported due to drunken brawls.—LM
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