Firecracker-related incidents in
CAR down by 53%
An overall 53 percent reduction of firecracker-related incidents in the region was recorded by Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) and Department of Health (DOH)-CAR from December 16, 2018 to January 1, 2019 compared to the same period last year.
PROCOR Regional Director PCSupt Rolando Nana said that the strengthened campaign of the PNP against illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices and the 24-hour patrolling of police personnel especially on Christmas and New Year’s Eve were contributory to the reduction of incidents.
Last year, PNP Cordillera recorded 19 incidents in the region in all the provinces including Baguio City while this year’s record which is 9 are from the provinces of Abra and Ifugao.
All the 9 victims aging from seven to 34 years old incurred minor injuries suspectedly from firecrackers like boga, bawang, kwitis, piccolo and 5-star. They were brought to the nearest hospital, but were immediately released after medical treatment.
Meanwhile, police operatives in Kalinga yesterday arrested John Lerry Tuboran, 26, and Aznodine Sulta, 23, after being caught selling illegal firecrackers in Dagupan Sentro, Tabuk City. Confiscated from them were 14 packs of “pla-pla” containing 100 pieces each.
The suspects are now under the custody of the Kalinga police and facing charges for violation of RA 7183 known as the firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices laws of the Philippines.
On the other hand, Baguio City policemen confiscated 140 pieces of luces, 500 pieces 5-Star, 19 pieces of various fountains, 192 pieces of sparklers, 400 pieces of piccolo, and nine boxes of party pack fireworks while conducting anti-illegal selling of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in Baguio City.
Accordingly, when the vendors noticed that the police were coming to them, they immediately fled leaving their merchandise behind to avoid being arrested.
In addition, the campaign on loose firearms of the PNP and the 100 percent personnel on duty during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve also helped in having a zero incident on indiscriminate firing. Last year, only one incident was reported with the suspect arrested.
Vehicular hit and run
On January 1, 2019 at about 3:00 a.m., a traffic accident resulting in homicide (hit and run) transpired along Maba-ay – Abatan Bauko provincial road particularly at sitio Tongtong Bawi, Guinzadan Sur, Bauko but was only reported to the Bauko MPS at around 5:30 a.m. of same date by a concerned citizen of said barangay wherein the victim was identified as Gaspar Kiao Ngalatan, 59, and a resident of Guinzadan, Bauko, Mountain Province.
Investigation disclosed that the victim and some companions had a drinking spree at the aforementioned place and left at about 2:00 a.m. The body was found more or less 50 meters away from the place where they had been drinking by Roland Graciros and reported it to Bruce Bastian of same barangay. They immediately brought the body to the Luis Hora Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead at around 3:55 a.m. of same date.
Homicide
On January 1, 2019 at about 7:30a.m., a case of homicide transpired at No. 97 Purok 7, Navy Base, Baguio City, wherein June Jay Serdeca Alpuerto, 32, single, cook, and was residing at said place was stabbed on his chest and right hand by the arrested suspect Jay-ar Dulnuan Lagmay, 23, single, construction worker thereat.
Investigation disclosed that the victim and the suspect together with other persons were having a drinking session when they had an argument. The suspect got irked and suddenly stabbed the victim.
Frustrated murder
On January 1, 2019 at about 5:00p.m. at #38 Purok 23, San Carlos Hts., Irisan, Baguio City, Jesrael Pilawen Heppog, 22, single, construction worker, and a tenant of the said place was stabbed by Jerickson Palayon, 19, single, construction worker, and tenant of Purok 24, San Carlos Heights, Baguio City.
Investigation disclosed that victim and the suspect had a drinking spree when a heated argument arose which was pacified by their companions. The suspect went home while the victim and his companions continued drinking then afterwards, the victim slept on his bed. The suspect came back looking for him and when he learned that the victim was sleeping, the suspect went inside and stabbed his right side rib with a scissor. Thereafter, the suspect fled while the victim was rushed by his friends to the hospital. A manhunt operation is underway for the arrest of the suspect.**
