TACLOBAN CITY-Police authorities here in the region declared the New Year’s Eve celebration as ‘very peaceful.’
In his report, Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos, police regional director, said that there was no stray bullet incident and injuries due to firecracker blasting were comparatively lower than last year.
“Overall, the festivity was a complete success with the help of other concerned agencies…and the all-out support of the public,” Carlos said in a statement.
“Our enhanced security before and after Yuletide season have attributed a lot in the peaceful and orderly celebration of the New Year’s Eve,” the police regional director added.
For his part, Senior Inspector Ian Po, information officer of the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO), said that they have not received or monitored any untoward incident across the city during the New Year’s celebration.
He said that there was no report of incident involving firecracker incident, much more, firing of gun as Tacloban joined the world in welcoming the New Year.
“We have a generally peaceful New Year’s celebration. To me, it’s really a benchmark as compared to previous celebrations,” Po said.
He said that hours before the New Year’s celebration, policemen roamed around the city informing the residents not to use firecrackers during the revelries.
“So we are thankful for the cooperation of our people why we have achieved a very peaceful New Year’s celebration,” he said.
At the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), based this city, no firecracker-related injury was reported on New Year’s Eve.
However, hours before the New Year’s celebration, about two patients were treated due to minor firecracker injuries.
The regional office of the Department of Health reported that 39 cases due to firecracker injuries were reported- 17 in Leyte; 13 in Eastern Samar; 4 each in Samar and Northern Samar; 1 in Southern Leyte; zero in Biliran province or a total of 28 cases, 11 percent lower compared to last year’s New Year celebration.
(JOEY A. GABIETA/ROEL T.AMAZONA)
