1 death, firecracker injuries on holiday
One died while at least 36 persons including a 3-year-old child were brought to hospitals for firecracker injuries, vehicle accidents and medical emergencies in cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu on Christmas eve and Christmas Day.
In Lapu-Lapu city, Vicente Igot was drinking with friends when he was shot dead by an unidentified motorcycle riding assailant in barangay Gun-ob at 3 a.m. on Dec. 25.
Also at dawn, 32-year-old Joel Acosta was stabbed by a neighbor in barangay Ibo.
Exploding firecrackers injured a boy who was in the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital for burns in his leg.
Three persons were brought to the Mandaue City Hospital for minor firecracker injuries.
In Cebu City, Jose Banuno, 20, of barangay Kamputhaw was brought to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) after his head was hit with a whistle bomb.
Eight emergency cases in Cebu City involved motorcycle drivers who had too much to drink.
One of them sideswiped a 3-year-old toddler in T. Padilla Street in barangay Mambaling.
“Most of the motorcycle drivers came from parties and were under the influence of liquor which resulted in accidents,” said City Councilor Dave Tumulak, head of the Cebu City Command Center.
He said the motorist swerved, trying to avoid a firecracker tossed on the road. The motorbike hit a child, who was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries.
“We appeal to those who drink alcohol not to drive in order to avoid an accident,” said Tumulak.
There were nine vehicular accidents and 18 calls for medical emergencies on December 24 and 25 in Cebu City, said Tumulak.
One woman, about to give birth, asked to be brought to the hospital. Another person from V. Rama Avenue sustained a gunshot wound. Others requested to be taken to the hospital for high blood pressure and other health conditions.
Barangay officials were urged to intensify the campaign against illegal firecracker sales. Goods displayed outside the designated vending area at the South Road Properties (SRP) SRP will be confiscated, said Tumulak.
Tumulak said that the reduced presence of firecrackers and pyrotechnics during the Christmas celebration was partly due to the city’s campaign to limit access to buying firecrackers.
The alert status in Cebu City raised on December 23 to 25 was lifted.
It will be reactivated on December 31 to January 1, when the New Year revelry starts.
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