New Year’s celebration in Aklan was generally peaceful
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – The New Year celebration this year was generally peaceful, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported.
Aklan provincial police director Senior Superintendent Epifanio Bragais, Jr. said the New Year revelry across the province was marked by intensified campaign on illegal and dangerous firecrackers and several firecracker-related injuries.
At least 13 revelers were injured, mostly from whistle bomb and kwitis. They were brought to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) and a private hospital for medical treatment.

“No victims of indiscriminate firing or gun related incidents were recorded during the New Year season. The celebration in Aklan was peaceful as there were no major incidents,” Bragais said.
A composite team from the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) led by SPO4 Domingo Mandapat and SPO1 Benjie de Pedro conducted surprise inspection Thursday afternoon on dealers and retailers selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics in the towns of Malay, Nabas, Ibajay, Tangalan and Numancia.
APPO earlier warned retailers of firecrackers to secure permits and to sell products with correct labels.
With its massive inspection of stalls selling firecrackers, police seized and destroyed a sizeable volume of deadly firecrackers from pyrotechnic retailers for selling without proper permits.
In Boracay, thousands of tourists celebrated the New Year peacefully with lesser firecracker-related incidents, the Boracay Special Tourist Protection Office (BSTPO) said.
The famous island Boracay also registered zero indiscriminate firing cases from Christmas to New Year season, the police stressed.
At least five people were killed and another 600 people were wounded by firecrackers and stray bullets nationwide, the Department of Health said.