The Philippine National Police chief on Sunday called for “zero death and the lowest number of injuries” during New Year’s Eve celebrations as nine more people joined an expanding list of firecracker-injured revelers hours before Filipinos welcome 2018. They mistook a vehicle carrying Anilao to hospital for the vehicle of alleged shooters. A furious Director Oscar Albayalde, National Capital Region Police Office chief, sacked the 10 policemen and the Mandaluyong police chief, Senior Supt. Last year, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 630 firecracker injuries during New Year celebrations, but no deaths from the use of firecrackers. Thirty-two cases were reported in the Bicol region, 26 of them involving piccolo, the agency said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 31, 2017 23:03 UTC