By AARON RECUENCO
The National Capital Region Police (NCRPO) has started coordinating with local government units for the designation of firecracker zones in Metro Manila for the New Year revelry.
NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde said the move is to at least lessen the number of injured victims during New Year revelry – the casualty count is usually the scenario after the celebration.
“We are relentlessly working with the Local Government Units (LGUs) and other partner government agencies particularly in designated area for fireworks,” said Albayalde.
“We will continue intensify police visibility especially this coming New Year celebration. We will even double our effort to maintain peace and order as we also aim for zero-indiscriminate firing, this is a no-no for our personnel, anyone who violates will be dealt with accordingly,” he added.
But as of yesterday, one person was reported to have been wounded as a result of indiscriminate firing. This is based from the police’s daily monitoring of the Christmas security across the country.
Two policemen, however, were already arrested in Metro Manila for indiscriminate firing.
They were identified as Police Officers 1 Arnold Sabili, of Montalban Police in Rizal; and, Marbin Jay Pagulayan, of Manila Police District Station 10.
Thousands of policemen were already deployed in various areas in Metro Manila as part of the right security measures at the span of the Holiday season.
“Police personnel were also deployed in different areas of convergence and vital installations as immediate responders and monitoring as well as to strengthen police visibility,” said Albayalde.
The official also expressed gratitude to the public for their support and cooperation on the campaign against firecrackers that aims for zero fire cracker incidents.
This, however, was spoiled by four firecracker-related injuries reported in the metropolis based on the PNP data. (See related story on page 3)