New Year revelry ‘generally peaceful’; 2 injured

Rodolfo Azurin Jr.—NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Two injuries caused by three cases of indiscriminate firing— two by a civilian and one by a uniformed personnel—were reported as Filipinos welcomed 2023, prompting the Philippine National Police to describe the New Year celebration nationwide as “generally peaceful.”

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said that there were no significant incidents that affected the national security and overall peace and order situation based on reports from the 17 police regional offices from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1.

“Heightened alert status of territorial units and full operational readiness of police maneuver forces bolstered the anticriminality, law enforcement and public safety operations of the PNP during the New Year’s revelry, resulting in zero casualty,” he said in a statement.

The PNP, however, recorded three cases of indiscriminate firing in Quezon City, Manila and Iloilo from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1.

“Two incurred minor injuries and the people behind these [indiscriminate firing] were arrested,” PNP public information office chief Col. Redrico Maranan said.

One of the cases involved Ferdinand Bagundol, a Coast Guard member, who was arrested for illegally firing his gun while drunk in his house in Barangay Kaligayahan, Quezon City, on Dec. 31. Seven spent shells were recovered from the scene.

His victim, who has yet to be identified, was brought to East Avenue Medical Center for treatment. INQ