Firecracker-related incidents up in Aklan

An initial 14 firecracker-related incidents from December 21 to January 1 were recorded by Provincial Health Office (PHO) compared to 10 incidents last year.

Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Cornelio Cuachon, Jr. said the 14 persons were treated out-patient at Aklan provincial hospital in Kalibo, Aklan. Most of the victims were brought to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital after the New Year revelry. 

The town of Kalibo and New Washington have the most number of firecracker-related incidents with four each followed by Banga with two.

Cuachon stressed, “the cases might rise since other government and private hospitals have yet to report...they will continue to monitor the firecracker-related injuries until January 5.”

Out of 14 cases, 13 were male and a female were injured by firecrackers. 

Kwitis is the number one cause of injuries in Aklan with nine while triangle and prohibited piccolo had two cases each and judas belt with one case were also reported.

Majority of the victims, above 15 years old with 10 cases, were injured by firecrackers when it accidentally blew up in their hands. 

The youngest was 9 years old from Numancia, Aklan and the oldest was 72 years old from Kalibo, Aklan.

No victims of stray bullets and ingestion incidents were also reported in the province of Aklan. 

Cuachon said 12 people had hand injuries while eye and face injuries accounted for two cases. 

Last year, the Department of Health (DoH) and other agencies urged local government units to foster community fireworks display to minimize firecracker-related incidents. 

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Pinoy bands, DJs to rock Kalibo Hala Bira nights

Catch some of the biggest names in Philippine music industry as rock bands and top disk jockeys will conquer the Hala Bira Ati-Atihan Nights in Kalibo, Aklan.

Sponge Cola featuring frontman Yael Yuson, bass guitarist Gosh Dilay, drummer Tmac Cruz and lead guitarist Armo Armovit will banner the Ati-Atihan night in Kalibo Magsaysay Park on January 11 with MOM Band.

Crowd favorite Sponge Cola promises an upbeat live performance with songs Bitiw, Pasukan na Naman, Bisita, Ang Saya and Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay.

Pinoy rock band Rocksteddy composed of Teddy Corpuz (lead vocals), Jeff Cucullo (drums), Christian Sindico (bass guitar) and Juven Pelingon (lead guitars) brings their latest genre on January 12. Also sharing the stage is Four Elements Band from Iloilo.

Alternative rock band Sandwich will perform also on January 13 with Cry Motion Band. The popular 5-piece band songs Sugod, Butterfly Carnival, DVDX and Betamax won major awards at MTV Pilipinas Music Awards and NU Rock Awards. The Sandwich members are lead vocalist Raimund Marasigan, bass guitarist Myrene Academia, lead guitarist Mong Alcaraz, rhythm guitarist Diego Castillo and drummer Mike Dizon.

Live performances of punk rock band Hilera and Nuno sa Punso will wow the crowd as they perform back-to-back on January 14.

Hilera, the 2005 Nescafe Soundskool, is composed of Chris Padilla (lead vocals) and his brother Bobby Padilla (drums) and former Eraserheads and The Dawn bassist Buddy Zabala.

Festival goers could also watch the performances of model-turned DJ Cathy Frey and MC Chunk from Manila while female DJ Lhaarney, DJ Naughty Boi and Broad Band will also drop their party mixing beats to kick off the Hala Bira Ati-Atihan nights on January 9.

DJ Rammy Bitong (January 12), Mike Regalado and DJ Alex (January 15) are also part of the line-up for the weeklong Kalibo Magsaysay Park celebration.

Japanese national DJ Kouta Kutsuma will be setting the stage on fire on January 13 with his hip-hop, techno and house beats while San Miguel’s Party All Night DJ Spin Off winner DJ Gavin Skewes is also slated to perform on January 14.

The special events of Hala Bira Ati-Atihan Nights are showcased by Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi) and the municipal government of Kalibo in partnership with San Miguel Brewery, Incorporated, Globe Telecom and Coca Cola Bottlers FEMSA Philippines.

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Cops, civilians urge ‘don’t fire guns’ on revelries

The Police Regional Office (PRO-6) has warned policemen and civilians over illegal discharge of firearms or face criminal and administrative charges.

The traditional gun muzzle taping this holiday season will no longer observed by the Philippine National Police (PNP), according to PRO-6 spokesperson Superintendent Gilbert Gorero.

“Tayo ay nabibigyan ng pagtitiwala na hindi tayo magpuputok ng ating mga baril. Itong pag-alis ng muzzle taping ay malaking challenge sa amin. Ito ang apela natin sa ating kapulisan na maging disiplinado,” he said.

Gorero stressed policemen and the trigger-happy civilians caught indiscriminately firing their guns during holiday revelries will be severely dealt by the law.

He also renewed call of cooperation of the public to report any incidents of indiscriminate firing of guns to the nearest police stations or to PNP social media accounts.  

To enforce the campaign, police station commandeers will conduct on December 31 and January 1 the accounting and inspection of government issued and personal firearms of their uniformed personnel.

Gorero said the civilians and policemen are also reminded of PNP’s 11^th and 12^th commandments that “they should not fire their guns indiscriminately as it may, kill and injure the neighbours” and “if neighbours fire their guns indiscriminately, make sure to take photos and videos to be reported to the PNP and uploaded.”

“Kami ay umaapela sa ating mamamayan sa mapayapa, masayang Bagong Taon na walang nasusugatan at namamatay sa tama ng baril at paputok,” he added.

As this developed, the PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa also warned its unit commanders for potential relief from their posts if someone is killed due to stray bullet incidents.  

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Coast Guard, emergency responders on full alert in Boracay

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other agencies are on full alert to guard tourists and passengers expected to celebrate the holidays in Boracay Island.

Lt. Edison Diaz, PCG-Caticlan station officer-in-charge, said additional Coast Guard personnel were deployed to ensure convenient travel of seafaring public.

Public assistance centers were established for orderly operation of sea transport facilities to assist in the disembarkation and embarkation of passengers and to closely monitor the passengers in Cagban and Caticlan ports and tourists along Boracay beach.

“Sa normal ang operations ng roll-on roll-off ships at motor bancas. Nagdagdag din ng deployment, naka full-alert tayo para mag-assist at magmonitor sa mga pangangailangan ng mga pasahero na tumatawid sa mga ports natin,” Diaz said.

Coast Guard requires the passengers going to and from Boracay Island to fill up their individual passenger data sheet before departure of motorized pump boats as part of safety measures in the ports.

On the other hand, series of meetings for preparedness measures were also conducted by law enforcement agencies in anticipation of high holiday traffic in the ports.

Caticlan and Cagban ports are operating 24/7 to accommodate tourists on late night flights from Kalibo International Airport. Pump boats with night navigational facilities are also in operation.

Also on guard for New Year revelries are fire and medical responders and lifeguards of Boracay Action Group (BAG) and Boracay Fire Rescue and Ambulance Volunteers (BFRAV).

First aid stations are set up by BAG-BFRAV in cooperation with PCG Auxiliary 609 Squadron in the beach front of Boracay.

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Boracay cop on ‘restricted duty’ after shooting incident

An intelligence operative of Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) has been placed under restricted duty after he allegedly involved in a shooting incident on December 29.

Dennis Venus, 31, resident of Sitio Ayala in Barangay Yapak, sustained three gunshot wounds in his right thigh, left buttocks and penumbical area. The victim who was observed under the influence of liquor was shot by 24-year old Police Officer I Christian Kenneth Senon at around 11 p.m. at Main Road in Barangay Yapak.

Initial investigation showed Senon was driving his motorcycle heading towards the Yapak Police Tourist Assistance Desk (TAD) when the victim, armed with a bolo, blocked his way. 

Senon said he stopped, alighted on his motorcycle, and introduced himself as a police officer, but Venus allegedly assaulted him. Sensing danger, the police officer drew his gun and fired at the victim. 

A tricycle driver who brought the victim to Boracay Alert Medical Clinic and Diagnostic in Barangay Balabag told the police that he saw the victim armed with bolo and attacking the police officer. 

He also turned over the scabbard measuring more or less 18 inches owned by Venus. 

Responding police officers recovered at the scene of the crime three fired cartridges and two slightly deformed fired cartridges believed to have been fired from the Glock firearm of Senon. 

Prior to the shooting incident, the victim arrived home from a drinking spree and invited his cousin Owen Venus, 20, also staying in Barangay Yapak, for another drinking session.

The victim’s wife Renalyn prohibited him since he was already drunk but her husband insisted to go out to buy drinks. 

Then, Owen noticed his cousin went outside their house with a bolo.

BTAC police community relations officer Senior Police Officer I Christopher Mendoza said the intelligence operative is on “restricted” duty in BTAC and under investigation following the shooting incident.

Senon, who was referred to a private hospital in Barangay Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan for further treatment, is facing charges for direct assault upon agent of person on authority.





BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL