NCR New Year revelry peaceful, Nartatez vows legal offensive vs perpetrators of indiscriminate firing
The New Year celebration in Metro Manila is safe and peaceful despite cases of firecracker injuries and illegal discharge of firearms, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez attributed what he described as successful security measures for the entire Yuletide season to early preparations and coordination with various government agencies, particularly the local government units.
“These positive accomplishments could be credited to our security preparations and consistent implementation of various measures and campaigns such as strict implementation of the firecracker ban, sale, and use of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics,” said Nartatez.
Nartatez personally supervised the deployment of NCRPO personnel and the implementation of security measures as early as the start of the Philippine National Police’s Ligtas Paskuhan campaign on Dec. 16.
Part of the deployment were in areas with designated New Year countdown at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; Mall of Asia in Pasay City; Ayala Avenue, Legaspi Village in Makati City; Quezon Memorial Circle, Eastwood City Mall, Libis all in Quezon City; Greenfield in Mandaluyong City; Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila; Pinaglabanan Shrine, in San Juan City; and, Jones Bridge, Binondo, Manila.
Nartatez expressed gratitude to the local government leaders of Metro Manila for organizing a common area for the New Year countdown in their respective jurisdiction as well as their solidarity in enforcing the laws against illegal fireworks that paved the way for having safe celebration of the New Year.
Based on the NCRPO data, a total of 14 people were arrested for violating the firecracker ban and three more for illegal discharge of firearms.
“The incident on the illegal discharge of firearms involving a PNP personnel on December 23 in Malabon City is being dealt with accordingly. On the same day, a civilian from Marikina City was reported for illegal discharge of firearms and is now being hunted down by police authorities while another civilian was also apprehended in Quezon City on January 1,” said Nartatez.
The victims reported wounded due to stray bullets included a six-year-old male on Jan. 1 who was reported already sleeping when he was accidentally hit by a stray bullet that penetrated through the roof and ceiling and inflicted a minor bruise on his head. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Other victims are from Marikina City, Pasay City, and Caloocan City.
Nartatez assured that that a thorough follow-up investigation is being conducted to identify the persons responsible for the said incidents.