Firecracker injuries in W. Visayas spike to 97

WHILE the number of firecracker-related injuries decreased in the national level, it is a different case in Western Visayas.

As of Jan. 3, 2019, the number of firecracker-related injuries in the region increased dramatically, records from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 showed.

From 50 cases as of 12 p.m. of Jan. 1, it rose to 97 cases on Jan. 3.

Superintendent Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson, said most of the additional cases happened on New Year ’s Eve.

The incidents did not immediately reach the police as these were culled from hospital records.

Most of the cases occurred in Negros Occidental.

Earlier records indicated that Capiz had the most number of injuries at 24 and followed by Iloilo province with 10.

Bacolod City recorded 7 firecracker-related injuries; 4 in Negros Occidental; 3 in Iloilo City; and 1 each in Aklan and Guimaras province.

But latest PRO-6 statistics showed that Negros Occidental has overtaken Capiz with 36 cases while the latter has 27.

Iloilo posted 13 cases, Bacolod City with 7, Aklan with 6, Iloilo City with 4, Guimaras with 3, and Aklan with 1 case.

Two persons were injured stray bullets although PRO-6 declared three stray bullet incidents.

Although no one was hurt, police considered the recovery of a slug at Barangay Rizal in La Paz, Iloilo City a case of stray bullet incident.

The other cases happened in Iloilo province.

From Dec. 16, 2017 to Jan. 1, 2018, the PRO-6 recorded one stray bullet incident and 44 firecracker-related injuries.