AT LEAST eight individuals, including three minors, were apprehended for illegal possession, use and sale of firecrackers in Davao Region.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, January 2, Police Regional Office Davao (PRO-11) Regional Director Marcelo Morales said the number was lower compared to 42 violators in 2017.

Authorities arrested violators for illegal possession or use of prohibited firecrackers in line with the implementation of Ligtas Paskuhan.

Data from PRO 11 showed that the Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office (DSPPO) had the most number of arrests at four, followed by Davao Oriental PPO (3) and Davao City Police Office (DCPO) (1). No arrests were recorded by the Davao Occidental PPO, Davao del Norte PPO and Compostela Valley PPO.

Morales attributed the reduction of firecracker violators to the cooperation of the public and different stakeholders including the barangay, the local government units, and the presence of the police personnel on the ground to ensure the safe celebration of New Year.

Apart from that, is the adherence of the cities and municipalities to the memorandum after they set up a community fireworks display area and firecracker zones. There are also municipalities who declared total ban of firecrackers, which contributed to the lower number of casualties and injuries caused by fireworks.

Only three firecracker-related injuries were recorded in the region -- two in Davao del Sur and one in Davao Oriental. In 2017, no injuries were recorded in the region.

The authorities were also able to confiscate 357 pieces of kwitis; six pieces of higad 5star; eight whistling moon; 28 boxes of piccolo; 18 packs of piccolo; 35 pieces triangles; 22 satum triangles; 22 satum missile; four mini whistles; 12 whistle bomb; and 50 ammunition.