Christmas and New Year celebrations in the Davao Region were peaceful, generally, despite recorded cases of injuries caused by firecrackers and stray bullets, according to the Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-11) and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).

PRO-11 data showed that four people, including one minor, were injured due to firecracker-related incidents in the region while a 56-year-old woman was hit by a stray bullet in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur.

The victim of a stray bullet was hit in the right leg. Police are still investigating to determine who fired the gun in the area.

“For whole Davao Region sa Ligtas Paskuhan 20225, overall peaceful ang pag celebrate sa Christmas ug pagsugat sa bag-ong tuig,” PRO-11 Spokesperson, Major Catherine Dela Rey, said.

Meanwhile, discussions about a possible amendment to the firecracker ban in Davao City have simmered after five people were arrested for violating the ordinance.

One of the incidents involved a resident caught in the act of lighting pyrotechnics in Barangay Daliao.

However, DCPO is against amending the ordinance, citing its significant contribution to public safety and order.

The firecracker ban has been in effect in Davao City since 2002.

“Kung ikumpara sa uban nga walay firecracker ban daghan ang injury o ma-hospitalize, wala tay matala nga maputlan og tudlo. Dako kaayo iyang tabang sa DCPO ug sa community nga di sila ma injured. Mas maayong magpabilin kay nakita nato nga sakto ra gyud pagsugat sa bag-ong tuig zero incident ta,” DCPO Spokesperson, Capt. Hazel Caballero Tuazon, said.