NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN CENTRAL LUZON GENERALLY PEACEFUL — PRO3 CHIEF

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. reported that the celebration of New Year in Central Luzon is generally peaceful.

Hidalgo said, .there were no major untoward incidents that took place on December 31 up to midnight of January 2. 

“As to the assessment of the celebration of Christmas and New Year, it is generally peaceful here in Central Luzon and no PNP personnel was involved in the illegal discharge of firearms,” Hidalgo said.

However, he said that the increase in fireworks-related incidents can be attributed to the lifting of any restrictions on movement and people are starting to use firecrackers again.

The Central Luzon top cop said that 185 firecracker-related incidents and three.illegal discharge of firearms were recorded in Region 3 from December 16, 2023 to January 1, which was higher by 109 cases or  41.08% compared to the 76 reported incidents in the previous year.

 Out of the 185 firecracker-related incidents, 188 individuals were injured while three persons were arrested for illegal discharge of firearms in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac.

One alleged incident of stray bullet in Lupao, Nueva Ecija is under investigation.

Meanwhile, some 20,415 illegal firecrackers worth P196,428 were confiscated including Judas’ belt, five- star, piccolo, and kwitis while 13 persons were apprehended.

“We are still on heightened alert status to provide security for the influx of passengers in terminals, seaports, and airports as we go back to regular working days,”  Hidalgo added.