New Year had just started and well, injuries brought about by firecrackers and stray bullets were the common dilemma for all Filipinos. Instead of hauling, dancing and night-long partying, there are still some of the Filipinos who would like to play with a gun and firecrackers to welcome the New Year.
Does it really worth? I don’t think so. In last year’s celebrations, over 900 people were injured by firecrackers and gunfire.
Now? People were alarmed of the news: 546 people were injured by firecrackers, and at least 20 injured by stray bullets; as according to health department.
Not only with that, there are series of fire blazes around Metro Manila including a university, an apartment building and an abandoned residential area. Luckily, there were no reports of casualties from the fire, only which it was caused by firecrackers.
According to Health Undersecretary David Lozada, 95% of the injured victims are at young age, either drunk men or spectators who veered too close to fireworks.
Manila fire marshal Senior Superintendent Pablito Cordeta also said that there were eight fires last night alone, and it has now risen to 11 incidents.
It was estimated by the Official government that there are over 1.1 million unlicensed firearms is in the hands of civilians.