New Year 2024 celebration generally peaceful, PNP says

The celebration of New Year 2024 in the country has been generally peaceful, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

“Naging mapayapa naman pangkalahatan nationwide iyong ating naging monitoring po sa pagsalubong po ng Bagong Taon,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita.

(We have monitored that the celebration of the New Year has been generally peaceful nationwide.)

However, Fajardo said 11 incidents of illegal discharge of firearms have been recorded as of 4 a.m. on Monday. These include two new cases reported at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

In the 1 p.m. incident, a police officer in Zamboanga was involved. According to Fajardo, the cop who was drunk used his firearm behind their barracks.

The cop is currently under police custody and will face criminal and administrative charges that may lead to his dismissal from the service.

Fajardo said the PNP will maintain its heightened alert status until next week to provide security for the anticipated influx of passengers in terminals, seaports, and airports after the New Year celebration.

As of December 30, the PNP said authorities have arrested 12 individuals for illegal firecrackers and have recorded 36 incidents of illegal possession, use, and sale of firecrackers.

Police have seized a total of 28,754 pieces of prohibited firecrackers worth around P244,130.

Most of the confiscated items were five star, sawa, and pla-pla.

Violators may face up to a year of imprisonment, a fine of up to P30,000, and the cancellation of license and business permits, according to the PNP.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday, New Year’s Eve, said a total of 115 incidents of  firecracker-related injuries have been recorded including eight new cases.

Of the eight new cases, six occurred at home and on the streets. The other two happened at designated areas for fireworks displays.

Five of them were caused by illegal fireworks. —KG, GMA Integrated News