Christmas festivities in Region-7 peaceful

CEBU, Philippines - Apart from a few minor incidents, the Christmas celebration in Cebu and in the whole Central Visayas was peaceful.

This was according to authorities who were on full alert during the Christmas festivities.

Police Regional Office-7 regional director, Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, said the Christmas celebration in the region was more peaceful this year.

 “Medyo madalang na ang paputok,” he said.

 Bañas’ statement was supported by Regional Intelligence Division chief, Superintendent Paul Labra, who said they did not receive reports concerning major firecracker-related or stray bullet incidents in Central Visayas.

 Labra cited that fewer incidents were reported this year compared to the previous years. He added that this could be attributed to public’s awareness on the consequences of using firecrackers.

 Labra said that they expect the same peaceful celebration by New Year. He also said that they noticed fewer people bought firecrackers and fireworks at the South Road Properties and in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City, which are designated areas for selling of firecrackers.

 Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa also expressed hope that the peace and order observed during Christmas will be experienced until the Sinulog Festival next year.

  In the province, one was reported injured after being hit by a stray bullet last Wednesday.

Michelle Jopia, 31, a public school teacher, sustained one gunshot wound to her right thigh. She was immediately rushed to Cebu Provincial Hospital in Danao City but was transferred to a hospital in Cebu City for further medical treatment.

 Jopia and her family were talking inside their house at Cogon Cruz, Danao City before she got hit.

 Elements of Danao Police Station are still conducting a follow-up investigation into the incident.

 As of December 25, PRO-7 has recorded a total of 20 firecracker and stray bullet incidents in Central Visayas. Ten firework-related incidents were recorded at the Cebu Provincial Police Office while four were reported in Cebu City Police Office.

 Two firework-related incidents were reported by Mandaue City Police Office while one was recorded by Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Meanwhile, most of the minor and major thoroughfares in Cebu City did not experience traffic congestion on December 24 to 25 but at least 43 minor vehicular accidents were reported, according to the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management.

 CITOM operations chief Joy Tumulak said 28 vehicular accidents happened a day before Christmas, but went down to 25 on Christmas day.

 “Despite the minor vehicular accidents due to uncontrolled driving, manageable lang ang dagan sa atong trapiko pag 24th and 25th,” he said.

 The CITOM deployed 230 traffic enforcers at different intersections of the city.

 Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chairman and city councilor David Tumulak, on the other hand, said traffic congestion formed along the South Road Properties due to the annual Kasadya sa SRP.

 The City Command Center (CCC) received nine minor vehicular accident reports from December 24 until December 25 due to “reckless driving.”

 Tumulak said most of the drivers who got into accidents were under the influence of alcohol.

 “Based sa among monitoring, generally wala gyod problema sa traffic kay dili man ang volume sa mga sakyanan during the holiday season,” he said.

 Based on the database of the CCC, 18 emergency medical alarms were reported on top of the vehicular accidents.

 Further, the city would be on red alert status for the New Year celebration, which means intensifying the city disaster office, barangay fire auxiliary, emergency response volunteers, and medical practitioners, among others. — (FREEMAN)