By Ruth Palo, Manila Times
January 3, 2023
DAVAO CITY: Regional police chief BGen. Benjamin Silo Jr. confirmed Monday there were no recorded stray bullet victims or any reported police personnel who fired celebratory shots during the celebration of the New Year.
Silo said no police personnel or even civilians who indiscriminately discharged their service firearm on New Year's Eve.
Silo had earlier ordered all police chiefs in the region to strictly monitor their team members to prevent any such incident.
"For the record, there were no reports of incidents involving indiscriminate firing or injuries due to stray bullets, and no fire injuries or casualties," he said.
Silo, however, reported a slight leg injury from a small firecracker incident in Davao del Sur.
The victim was identified as Adriane Caña Andao, 19, student, and a resident of Tubod, Bansalan, Davao del Sur.
Based on the police report, the victim lit up a pyrotechnic when it suddenly fell towards him and exploded, injuring his right leg.
Silo, meanwhile, said despite the firecracker ban in Davao City, the police have arrested one person and rescued 11 minors for the illegal use of an improvised bamboo canon called "lantaka."
The Davao City Police Office said 98 lantaka and 20 kwitis had been confiscated. There were no firecracker-related incidents recorded since Christmas and New Year.
Silo commended the personnel and the people of the Davao Region for the safe and peaceful celebration of the Yuletide season.
"New Year's Eve was celebrated peacefully and safely with no major incidents," he said.
Silo thanked the public for their cooperation and participation in their efforts to ensure a safe and secure Yuletide celebration through its program "Ligtas Paskuhan at Bagong Taon 2023."
The regional police deployed 1,178 personnel for Ligtas Paskuhan at Bagong Taon 2023.
