NCRPO: 6 kilos of shabu seized in Paco buy-bust operation

Three people were arrested Tuesday while six kilos of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) worth about P27 million were seized in a buy-bust operation in Paco, Manila, police said Wednesday.

In a statement, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Nicanor Bartolome identified the suspects as Wendun Chen alias Wilson Tan, 45, and Lianfu Chen, 56, both Chinese nationals; and Saidali Magdao Muliloda, 45.

Recovered from the suspects were three cell phones used in the transaction; a gray Nissan Cefiro (XMS-883) and a white Toyota Fortuner (ZFE-154); and some P10,000 in cash.

Bartolome said the prevention of street crimes and proliferation of illegal drugs remain as their top priorities.

“As much as possible, we prefer to be proactive rather than reactive. Six kilos of shabu is a lot, and the prevention of the proliferation of drugs in the streets is indeed a major accomplishment," he said.

The NCRPO said criminal cases are being readied against the suspects for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 before the City Prosecutor's Office in Manila. - Jerrie Abella/KBK, GMANews.TV

Cops on full alert amidst new year revelry

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Nicanor Bartolome said he has ordered his men to look out for incidents of indiscriminate firing of guns this New Year and to help prevent injuries from illegal fireworks.

Cops: Ambulances not enough for Metro Manila's 747 firecracker zones

Metro Manila police chief Director Nicanor Bartolome reminded the public to be cautious in using firecrackers as there are not enough ambulances for some 747 firecracker zones in Metro Manila for the New Year's Day revelry.

“Baka di mapunuan yan kasi 747 ang firecracker zones sa Metro Manila pa lang. Ang malaking area mas mataas ang risk. Pati ambulance, yan ang sabi natin, dapat may nakaantabay kahit di one ambulance per zone, but at least accessible at makakarating kung may kailangan," Bartolome said in an interview on dzRH radio on Thursday.

(There may not be enough ambulances for each of the 747 firecracker zones in Metro Manila. If this is so, residents in the bigger zones will be at greater risk. We are exploring ways to make sure that even if we cannot have one ambulance per zone, the ambulances serving more than one zone will at least be accessible and can respond quickly.)

Bartolome also reiterated his appeal to the public to contact the Philippine National Police to report abuses or incidents related to the New Year revelry.

He said concerned citizens can contact the PNP through PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo’s hotline at 0917 847-5757.

“Habang ang pulis at ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan naghahanda at nagbibigay ng seguridad sa Metro Manila, ang ating hinihingi sa ating kababayan kaunting vigilance. Pag may napansin... maaring i-report sa ating pulis," he said.

(While the police and other government agencies secure Metro Manila, we appeal to the public for vigilance. If you notice something suspicious, report it to our policemen.)

Firecracker zones

Bartolome said the police had coordinated with local government units in Metro Manila to establish some 747 firecracker zones.

Bartolome said out of the 747 firecracker zones, 271 are in Manila alone.

The zones, the areas where the lighting of firecrackers is allowed, were set up to discourage residents from lighting firecrackers inside or near their homes.

“Dapat maluwag ang area, well-ventilated, malayo sa kabahayan at accessible. May fire trucks near the firecracker zones," he said.

(The areas should be open, well-ventilated, and far from residential areas but accessible. Fire trucks should be placed near the firecracker zones.)

Illegal firecrackers destroyed

Bartolome said he has ordered the destruction of illegal fireworks seized from vendors in past days.

He said the illegal fireworks will be destroyed on Thursday afternoon so that they could no longer pose a threat to the public and the police facilities where the seized fireworks are kept.

“Sisirain natin mamaya after lunch ang nakumpiska na, para di magamit o mag-pose ng danger sa opisina dahil doon for now nakatambak ang nakumpiska nila," he said.

(We plan to destroy the fireworks after lunch, so they will not pose a danger to the police facilities where they are being kept.) – VVP, GMANews.TV

DOH: Hospitals ready for New Year emergencies

With less than 24 hours before the New Year, Health Secretary Enrique Ona declared government hospitals in Metro Manila ready to deal with emergencies from the New Year revelry.

But Ona said the next 12 hours will be critical as this is usually the time the bulk of casualties are brought to the hospitals for treatment.

“I am now double-checking the hospitals. They are ready. But the next 12 hours will be critical as this is the time the bulk of cases come in," he said in an interview aired on dzBB.

He described medical personnel and equipment, including specialists, as “very, very complete" and “all ready."

“Kumpleto tayo sa gamot, sa duktor at sa supplies (We are complete in terms of medicines, doctors and supplies)," he said.

But he also made a last-minute appeal to the public not to light firecrackers or burn tires to welcome the New Year.

“Burning tires in particular can be very toxic," he said.

Ona kicked off his inspections at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center and Tondo Medical Center in Manila. With him was Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

As of early Friday, the Health Department’s casualty count had risen to 245, including nine victims of stray bullets. — LBG, GMANews.TV

DOH: Firecracker injuries now at 173, may hit 1K by January 1

With 173 people having been hurt in "firecracker-related" incidents since last week, the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday warned the figures could reach 1,000 during New Year's Day revelry.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the DOH has so far recorded 173 firecracker-related injuries since the agency started with its "Oplan Iwas Paputok" campaign on December 21.

He said 83 people or almost half of the victims (48 percent) were injured by “piccolo" firecracker. Fifteen people were hurt by a "kwitis," 15 by a "whistle bomb," 15 by "boga," and seven by a "trianggulo."

Of the victims, six were hit by stray bullets while five ingested "watusi."

Ona said this year's figures are lower than the ones in the same period last year. However, the Health secretary stressed that injuries were still highest among children (43 percent), particularly 15 years old or younger.

In Quezon City, 12 firecracker-related injuries were recorded. The city had set up 142 "firecracker zones" or designated areas where firecrackers could be exploded.

"I think it's very important for the families during this period [to be safe]. Kasi instead na masaya ay papasukan lang ng isang aksidente na makakaapekto hindi lang sa kanilang anak o kaibigan kundi sa kanilang buong pamilya," Ona said.

While the DOH is encouraging people to welcome the New Year not with firecrackers but with other noise-making devices, Ona still warned revelers to take extra precaution when using horns.

In the same press conference, Ona revealed that at least two children were hospitalized in Manila after accidentally swallowing the horn's whistle. He did not elaborate on the current condition of the kids.

By the rate of the recorded fireworks casualties from December 21 to December 27, Ona predicted that the figures could reach 900 to 1,000 by New Year’s Day.

In 2009, the DOH recorded 870 firecracker-related injuries, 35 stray bullet-injuries, and two watusi ingestions.

Meanwhile, Don't use firecrackers during the holidays if you don't want to spend New Year festivities in the hospital.

Meanwhile, Malacañang seconded the DOH warning by emphasizing that firecracker use during the New Year festivities may land people in the hospital.

"Sa ating mga kababayan, huwag na po tayo magpapaputok kasi mahirap naman po na bagong taon sa ospital tayo papasok," said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview with Palace reporters on Tuesday.

(To our countrymen, please stop using firecrackers because it's difficult to spend the new year in the hospital.)

Valte urged parents to closely watch their children during the festivities to keep them away from harmful firecrackers.

This year, the government has been encouraging revelers to do away with firecrackers being exploded on the ground. Instead, the Philippine National Police said "aerial fireworks" would be safer and better. [See related article: Cops pushing for alternative to firecrackers...]

The firecrackers the PNP banned in 2007 and still prohibited are: Lolo Thunder; Super Lolo; Bawang (large); Pla-pla; Watusi; Kwiton; Giant Whistle; Judas Belt (large); Og; and Atomic Bomb. — With Jam L. Sisante/LBG/JV, GMANews.TV