Director General Nicanor Bartolome said 15 individuals were arrested for gun-related offenses and 99 others for selling or possessing prohibited firecrackers. He said one person was killed and 422 injured during the celebrations.
But he was quick to say that the yuletide celebrations were generally peaceful. “Overall, the entire holiday season was celebrated under generally peaceful and orderly conditions, Bartolome said citing various police reports.
Bartolome also commended police forces for its strict implementation of his order on indiscriminate and illegal discharge of firearms in welcoming the New Year.
“We are doing this yearly to send a strong message to policemen, soldiers and gun owners and to help the government bring down casualties and injuries during the revelry of the yuletide,” Bartolome said. (
20