BUTUAN CITY – The New Year celebration in the Caraga region was generally peaceful.
However, four fireworks-related injuries were recorded in the cities of Cabadbaran and Butuan and the municipalities of Las Nieves in Agusan del Norte and San Luis in Agusan del Sur.
The Police Regional Office-13 attributed this low number of firecracker victims to the implementation of Executive Order 28 that imposed stricter rules and regulations on the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
The implementation of EO 28 also led to the apprehension of three individuals in Barangay Taganito, Claver town, Surigao del Norte for allegedly selling prohibited firecrackers worth P19,950, the PRO-13 said.
The PRO-13 added that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-13 and the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) nabbed an individual in Butuan City for allegedly selling banned firecrackers with an estimated market value of P740,000 on December 29.
The people in Caraga also celebrated Christmas Day without any untoward incident as the PRO-13 beefed up security operations and law enforcement functions with the help of other law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
No stray bullet incidents were recorded in the region on New Year's Eve, according to the PRO 13-Regional Operations Division (ROD).
The PRO-13 thanked partner-agencies and the people of Caraga for making the occasion joyful and peaceful.
Police remain on alert as people return to work and homes after the holiday season.
Meanwhile, 12 persons were arrested in anti-illegal gambling operations by the police in Caraga from December 24 to 30. Violators face appropriate charges.