FIRECRACKERS, STRAY BULLET VICTIMS NOW AT 443  — DOH

THE number of people injured from fireworks and stray bullets during the New Year’s eve revelry, rose to 443, the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said.

The DOH said 122 with eye injuries were also recorded, leading to one confirmed blindness case.

One more case of hearing loss was logged, bringing the total tally to two.

The first death is a 38-year-old male from Ilocos Region who lit a cigarette while drinking with his companions near a firecracker storage.

The case of a stray bullet injury is a 23-year-old male from Davao region who sustained a gunshot wound in the back.

According to the DOH, the ages of the victims range from 1 to 71 years old.

Almost half or 102 of the new cases were due to illegal firecrackers.

Six of the victims are new amputation cases, bringing its total to 17.

The Department started its surveillance on December 21.

Meanwhile, a security guard in Quezon City was arrested for indiscriminate firing during the New Year revelry.

Quezon City Police District chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan identified the suspect as 44-year-old Boy Bagua, a resident of Bgy. Baesa.

Bagua was arrested by members of the Police Station 3 after a concerned citizen reported that he repeatedly fired his gun at 11-8 Baesa Road, Bgy. Baesa in the early hours of New Year’s day.

The suspect was drunk when caught.

Recovered from his possession were one cal. 38 revolver, a fired cartridge case and four live rounds of ammunition.

Maranan said the suspect will be charged with violation of Republic Act (RA) 11926 or the Indiscriminate Discharge of Firearms Act and RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.