43 revelry-related incidents recorded

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police on Friday recorded a total of 43 incidents related to the celebration of the holidays, which included victims of indiscriminate firing and those injured by firecracker blasts.

In its record from Dec. 16 to Dec. 27, the PNP' Iwas Paputok campaign monitored nine victims of stray bullets and two victims of fire cracker explosions.

The PNP also reported that law enforcers managed to apprehend 15 persons for illegal possession or sale of firecrackers and illegal discharge of firearms.

Among the more than 1,300 banned firecrackers confiscated by authorities were banned firecrackers such as Lolo Thunder, Watusi, Picollo, Mother Rockets, Pillbox, Boga, Big Judas Belt, Big Bawang, Kwiton and Kabasi.

The confiscated firecrackers are worth over P700,000, the PNP said.

The PNP reported that an estimated P30,000-worth of properties were damaged due to fire from firecrackers.