City of San Fernando, Pampanga — Five people were injured during the New Year's Eve revelry in Central Luzon, according to a report from the Police Regional Office 3 which included three children.

In Bulakan, Bulacan, a man sustained burns on his legs, chest and foot when he tested Whistlebomb firecrackers while having a drinking spreee with his neighbor on 30 December 2023.

Meantime, a 41-year-old male got burns in his left hand when he tested and lit his kwitis firecrackers in front of his house in Malolos, City, Bulacan on 21 December.

In Bacolor, Pampanga, a 10-year-old boy sustained minor injuries in his left hand and eyebrows area after picking up a kwitis in a pile of trash at the back of the house of their neighbor last 26 December.

Meanwhile, two children got injured in their eyes due to "Boga" in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija and Masinloc, Zambales, respectively, last 23 December. The nine-year-old victim from Cabanatuan City was accidentally hit by his friend while the 12-year-old kid from Masinloc was playing the said firecracker when it accidentally exploded on his face.

Upon learning the said firecracker-related incidents, PRO-3 director Police Brigadier General Jose S. Hidalgo Jr. reminded the public that while everybody is excited for the upcoming new year, safety must be prioritized at all times.

Meanwhile, four people were arrested for selling firecrackers online during an entrapment operation conducted by local police in Morong, Bataan.

According to the reports submitted to PRO-3, the suspects were monitored marketing their products through the social media site Facebook.

Possible charges for violation of R.A. 7183 or An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices are being prepared against the suspects.

In other developments, Puerto Princesa City recorded two incidents related to firecrackers as the new year commenced on 1 January 2024, according to the local police's "Ligtas Paskuhan" monitoring.

The first incident happened just after midnight, at 12:01 a.m., where a 13-year-old girl from Purok New Princesa, Barangay Tiniguiban, incurred an eye injury, possibly due to firecracker powder. She was rushed by her parents to Ospital ng Palawan for immediate medical attention.

Police Captain Maria Victoria Iquin, spokesperson for the Puerto Princesa City Police Office, said that the girl experienced eye swelling, necessitating emergency treatment at the hospital.

She was subsequently discharged after receiving adequate medical care.

A second event took place around 12:21 a.m., involving a 26-year-old male from Barangay Maunlad. He suffered a hand injury while lighting a whistle bomb and was admitted to the Palawan MMG Cooperative Hospital.

Iquin said the man required stitches for his injury but was later discharged following his treatment.

With Celeste AnnA Formoso