Girl from Bulacan is first stray-bullet fatality for the holidays

A nine-year-old girl from Bulacan was the first recorded fatality from stray bullets in the final days of 2015, Ivan Mayrina reported on Balitanghali on Tuesday.

Nora Cruz was playing near the Ipo Dam last December 24 when she was hit by a stray bullet, the report said, citing information from the Department of Health (DOH).

Cruz was immediately rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, but died on December 25.

DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy said gun injuries were being monitored as intensely as firecracker injuries and that private gun owners must also be as wary as uniformed personnel in discharging their firearms.

"May namatay, hindi dala ng firecracker, kundi dala ng stray bullet na kailangan ring tutukan ito," Suy said in a press conference. "May naninisi na naman na uniformed armed personnel. Tandaan natin na may hawak ng baril na hindi uniformed armed personnel." 

"Meron ring mga pribadong tao na may mga baril na maaaring may makaalitan, mga sinalubong 24, magpa-Pasko na, magpapaputok. Sana yung pag-fire mo ng ganun, 'di ba, kung sa ere mo inano 'yan, hindi mo naman alam kung sino tatamaan. Eh kung anak mo ang tatamaan nito?" he added.

Firecrackers

As of 6 a.m. on December 29, the DOH has recorded 131 cases of fireworks-related injuries, 21 percent or 34 cases lower than what was recorded during the same period last year and 32 percent lower than the five-year average.

The DOH fears that while the average number of cases went down, a spike may occur on New Year's Eve and on the first day of 2016.

It reiterated its call to local government officials to remain vigilant against people selling illegal firecrackers and against homeowners who purchase them.

JRRMC

At the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMC), a 10-year-old boy was the newest of the 14 victims of firecrackers recorded there so far, Isay Reyes reported on News To Go.

"Sumabog po pagkasindi," the boy said, adding he was unable to throw the firecracker after lighting it.

The child suffered second degree burns from a piccolo, a firecracker still widely distributed and used despite being made illegal in 2007, and was rushed to the hospital near Tuesday noon.

Prior to the boy's accident, there were 13 male victims recorded at the JRRMC as of 9 a.m. on Tuesday. One female was treated and only one patient needed admittance to the hospital.

Of the 14 victims, 10 were injured by Piccolo, two by unknown firecrackers, and one by a Five Star. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News