Despite a generally peaceful and safe New Year's celebration in Central Visayas, two fatalities and 14 injuries were reported due to fireworks-related incidents
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 reported 14 individuals injured by fireworks, with 7 seriously injured and 2 fatalities in two separate incidents that occurred during the New Year's Eve celebrations in 2025. Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, spokesperson for Police Brigadier General Roy Parena, the officer-in-charge of PRO 7 , stated that Central Visayas remained generally peaceful and safe during the New Year's festivities.
However, PRO 7 expressed concern regarding the two fatalities caused by fireworks, one in Asturias City involving a vlogger injured by fireworks that exploded near his face, and another in Talisay City involving a 10-year-old child who was hit by stray bullets. Rafter indicated that most of the fireworks victims used outlawed firecrackers, such as Goodbye Philippines. Despite PRO 7's efforts to monitor and prevent the use of illegal fireworks, Rafter acknowledged that some were smuggled through the black market via online platforms. She suggested that victims likely obtained the fireworks from the black market, particularly during the final hours leading up to New Year's Eve, when illegal fireworks typically surface. Rafter emphasized that the police and government agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) actively worked to warn the public and ensure safety during the Christmas and New Year's celebrations by discouraging the use of large fireworks. In a recent update, Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas confirmed that the individual responsible for the Goodbye Philippines firecracker that killed the 10-year-old child, who was reportedly hit while walking, has been apprehended.
FIREWORKS INJURIES FATALITIES NEW YEAR's EVE CENTRAL VISAYAS PRO 7 ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
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