New Year revelries: Firecracker blast kills 2

CEBU, Philippines — A 10-year-old boy lost his life after an illegal firecracker called “Goodbye Philippines” exploded right in front of his face and chest, around 1 am in Purok Mangga, Barangay Candulawan, Talisay City.

The victim, identified as Jermie Cagang, was among a group of children who gathered trying to re-ignite a firecracker they found that failed to go off.

Nelson Bucao, 54, who witnessed the incident, said the children attempted to re-ignite the leftover “Goodbye Philippines” firecracker by placing it on the ground, covering it with stones and broken tiles, and striking it with a large rock.

While Cagang was sitting in front of the said firecracker setup, the firecracker exploded and shards of tiles and debris of stones pierced through his chest and face which caused his death.

“Nakabarog pa ang bata ug nitawag pa sa iyang mama unya nahagba dayon nag kisikisi,” said Bucao.

The boy sustained injuries to his neck, right arm, and left eye. Despite efforts to save him, Cagang succumbed to his injuries.

The mother of the 10-year-old shared her heartbreak over the death of her son during New Year. “Nag party na sila sa ubos unya paghuman gipapauli na nako siya. Wako kahibaw nga nitakas na diay siya,” she said.

Jessel has five children, with Jermie being the eldest. She is seeking assistance from the local government unit of Talisay to help arrange her child's burial.

Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas, in his Facebook post, said he has instructed the city's social welfare office to provide the victim's family with aid.

Three other children were also injured in the blast. One child, an eight-year-old, suffered severe facial injuries, burns, and swelling, making it difficult to open the child’s eyes.

According to the mother of the child, medical professionals suggested that the child should undergo an eye treatment because of the severity of the injuries.

Yesterday, the man who purchased the illegal firecracker surrendered to Talisay Police Station.

According to Lt. Col. Epraem Paguyod, Talisay City chief of police, Niño, originally from Lapu-Lapu City but now residing in Talisay had two firecrackers that failed to ignite during the initial use.

“Siya po iyong tinuturong may-ari ng Goodbye Philippines na naiwan doon sa area na napulot po sa isa sa mga biktima natin,” Paguyod shared.

The 27-year-old man admitted to acquiring the deadly firecrackers outside Talisay City.

When asked where outside of Talisay did Niño purchase the illegal firecrackers, Paguyod said that they could not disclose the information yet, as they are conducting a follow-up operation to dismantle the illegal suppliers.

“Continue po ang investigation kasi kailangan natin malaman kung saan galing yung source ng paputok kasi pinagbabawal po yung pagbebenta ng paputok so there are legal liabilities talaga,” Paguyod added.

The police confirmed they are preparing to file a case of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple serious physical injury against Niño.

Aside from the above mentioned case, authorities also cited violations of Executive Order 28 and Republic Act 7183, or the regulation to the use and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers.

“Bombshell” kills man in asturias

In Asturias, Cebu, a 23-year-old man also died after a firecracker known as “bombshell" exploded on his face during a New Year’s celebration along the national highway in Barangay San Roque.

The victim was identified as Clifford Amarilla Remis, a resident of the area, according to Police Captain Jan Ace Elcid Layug, spokesperson of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO).

Initial reports from the Asturias Municipal Police Station reveal that the firecracker, designed to shoot multiple aerial explosions, had a total of seven shots.  The last shot failed to launch, prompting Remis to check it closely. Unfortunately, the device exploded directly on him, causing severe injuries.  Remis was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Layug confirmed that the victim’s face was severely damaged as a result of the explosion.

Stray Bullets

Aside from firecracker-related injuries, the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) reported two stray bullet incidents in the region during New Year’s Eve.

A 31-year-old man, identified as “Mark” from Barangay Tisa, Cebu City was hit by a stray bullet that pierced through the roof of his home.

Investigation by the Labangon Police Station 10 revealed that the bullet grazed the victim's right ear. He was immediately taken to the Cebu City Medical Center for treatment.

Police recovered a stray bullet believed to have come from a .45-caliber firearm. Rafter confirmed that an investigation is ongoing with coordination in the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) to identify the person responsible for the firing.

Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, spokesperson for PRO-7, said a stray bullet was also found in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Fortunately, no one was hit during the shooting.

DOH-7 Tally

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas Center for Health and Development tallied a total of 93 fireworks-related injuries from December 21, 2024 to January 2, 2025.

The total number was 12 percent higher from last January 2, 2024 with 83 total cases.

Breaking it down by province, Cebu reported the highest number of cases with 39, followed by Bohol and Negros Oriental, each with seven cases, and two from Siquijor.

In terms of highly urbanized cities (HUCs), Cebu City recorded 18 cases, 14 from Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City had five.

Additionally, a total of 133 road traffic injuries were recorded during the same period. Of the figure mentioned, 91 were drivers; 26 were rear passengers; 13 were pedestrians; and three were front passengers.-  ATO (CEBU NEWS)