PNP: Major drop in WV pyro injuries but…
Bacolod tops incident-list as Iloilo top cop says more remain unrecorded
The good news was monitored and reported by the Philippine National Police (PNP) here even as Bacolod City topped the incident-list. Yet more incidents actually happened albeit unrecorded in PRO 6 records and hospitals, Iloilo’s top cop said in a separate media interview.
Furnished to The News Today (TNT), Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) Operations Center noted of “almost 50 percent” decrease this year.
“Only 42 incidents were monitored from December 31, 2008 to January 1, 2009 against the 79 incidents of same period last year. Bacolod City posted the highest number of incidents with 17, Iloilo province with 10, Negros Occidental with 6, Guimaras with 3, Antique and Capiz with 2 each, and Aklan and Iloilo City with 1 incident, respectively,” the PRO6 report went. “Thirty eight were treated as out-patients and only 4 were admitted for suffering serious injuries.”
To note, Negros Occidental topped last year the number of pyrotechnic-related incidents with 42 cases.
It was a however a different scenario with stray-bullet incidents as PRO6 recorded three incidents at the close of 2008 and start of 2009. Last year saw only one as the latest to hit the region happened in Negros Occidental and Iloilo City.
The region’s top cop, Police Chief Superintendent Isagani R. Cuevas has since led the relentless campaign of the PNP against indiscriminate discharge of firearms and on the proper handling of pyrotechnics.
As such, the PRO 6 hierarchy was happy to report of an “almost incident-free New Year celebration” for the Ilonggos.
Whatever incidents did occur, the police noted, had victims and suspects under the influence of alcohol.
In fact complete monitoring report of the PRO6 Operations Center showed just that - 15 stabbing incidents, 10 shooting incidents, 5 hacking incidents, and 10 cases of physical injuries. All were alcohol-related.
“We don’t discourage the drinking of liquor on occasions like Christmas and New Year but we encourage people to drink moderately to avoid accidents and uncalled for behavior,” Cuevas said.
With the holiday season over, Cuevas took the time to commend all police personnel, especially those on field duty during the holidays, for their dedication and sacrifice.
“The few incidents these holidays are worth the sacrifice of our men who left their homes and be on the streets to serve and protect,” Cuevas said.
Meantime, at least twenty minor injuries reportedly occurred in Iloilo towns alone. The report was made by Senior Superintendent Ricardo Dela Paz in a Bombo Radyo interview Saturday.
Dela Paz said the twenty victims were treated in their respective villages with the incidents just recorded by the village chiefs.
Dela Paz also disclosed of a purported increase in stabbing incidents, shooting and vehicular accidents all blamed on drunk suspects or victims. No statistics nor figures were released though in said Bombo Radyo interview. (With reports from PO2 Francis Lindero)