COTABATO CITY--Four persons were hit by stray bullets in Maguindanao and Cotabato City while four others were victims of firecracker injuries during the New Year’s revelry, police and hospital authorities said.

In Timanan, South Upi, Maguindanao, 49-year-old Cesay Agay was hit by a stray bullet hours before 2009 set in. He was exploding firecrackers in front of his home when a bullet from hit his shoulder.

Farida Musa, 28 of Barangay Biniruan, Cotabato City was sitting at her home’s balcony when a bullet pierced the roof and hit her left arm.

Rafael San Lorenzo, 40 of Barangay Notre Dame Village, was celebrating the New Year by setting off firecrackers in front of his home when a bullet landed on his leg.

Another reveler, a 10-year-old Aya Al-Ani, of Barangay Rosary Heights 10, Cotabato City was hit by stray bullets while viewing a fireworks display in the village.

All the victims of stray bullets are being treated at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.

Senior Supt. Willie Dangane, city police chief, said four persons were wounded due to firecracker explosions on Wednesday evening.

He identified them as Erick Bora of Barangay Rosary Heights, Rafael Usman of Barangay Lugay-Lugay and Ann Veronica Cruz of Notre Dame Avenue and a 15-year old child.

Despite repeated appeals by police and military authorities for gun owners not to fire their guns during the revelry, city residents heard several gunbursts.