6 Negrense and Bacoleno killed in New Year’s celebration
Bacolod City–Six (6) people killed here and in Negros Occidental as the nation welcomed the new year Thursday night, while at least seventeen people were reported injured in a firecracker-related incident from different district hospitals and others were confined at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital.
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Sr. Supt. Celestino Guarra confirmed that out of six people killed, four of them came from Bacolod City and they were killed through separate incidents of stabbing, shooting, vehicular accident and also drowning of an 8-month-old baby from Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City.
He said that here in Bacolod City alone, at least seven people obtained minor injuries in a firecracker blast that includes 2 minors, 2 female and 3 male victims.
Police Station 8 reported that a 55-year-old working as cook at the Sugarl and Hotel died on the spot upon crossing the street in front of his workplace while in a hurry to celebrate New Year at home. The victim was Manlito Olano, married, of Brgy. Granada, Bacolod City. Also reported dead on arrival at the CLMMRH was a resident of Brgy. Mansilingan after he was stabbed at around 2 AM of Jan. 1, 2010.
The victim was Rodolfo Ledesma of Brgy. Mansilingan, stabbed by an unidentified suspect.
Another fatality during New Year’s Eve was Armando Layao of Villa Esperanza, Bacolod City. He was stabbed an unidentified person. Another victim was an 8-month-old baby who drowned at the Brgy. Banago Creek Bacolod City. The victim was John Mark Leonora of the same place.
Meanwhile, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Luisa Efren said that at least 17 people were injured in a firecracker-related blast in Negros Occidental.
Efren said that the number was low as compared to last year with 116 recorded victims. Most of the victims sustained minor injuries and most of them were minors. Efren appealed to their parents to take extra caution in next year’s celebration. She said that most of the victims were 7 to 14 years old.
On the other hand, Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office Deputy Director for Operation, announced yesterday that Negros Occidental was mostly peaceful in welcoming the new year 2010. He said that there was no major incident reported but only minor cases, which are not firecracker-related.
