Philippines struggles to rein in deadly New Year revelry available

Dec 30, 2007, 12:14 GMT

Manila - Rodolfo dela Cruz and his 5-year-old son Ryan lost one hand each during wild New Year's Eve celebrations in the Philippines last year.

Now, they are the poster boys of the Department of Health's intensified campaign for a safe year-end revelry, which has in previous years, turned deadly with people succumbing to severe blast injuries or even stray bullet wounds.

Days before New Year's Eve, the father and son appealed to Filipinos to stop using firecrackers in the upcoming year-end celebrations.

'Please don't explode firecrackers on New Year's Eve,' Ryan said at a press conference organized by the Department of Health, as he showed the stump in his right arm where his hand was.

An apparently defective firecracker blew up on the left hand of Ryan's father at the height of the revelry last year. Unfortunately, the boy's right hand was holding his father's left arm at the time of the accident.

Their injuries were so severe that Rodolfo's left hand was amputated and so was Ryan's right hand.

'I hope other people will learn from my mistake,' Rodolfo said.

Filipinos traditionally welcome the New Year with all-night frenzied partying and boozing, exploding of firecrackers, and even firing of guns into the air - a deadly practice that has killed dozens in past years.

Filipinos set off firecrackers and make all kinds of noises - even by firing guns into the air - believing that these practices will drive away evil spirits and bring them good luck.

In a bid to discourage Filipinos against such deadly practices, Health Secretary Franciso Duque even tried to scare off people by describing in detail the excruciating procedures that blast victims would have to undergo.

He displayed tools used by doctors in treating victims, including a steel saw, as he described the procedures.

Despite the warnings, firecrackers - even the illegal ones - are still selling like hotcakes.

In the town of Bocaue, north of Manila, famous for its firecracker industry, people line up until late in the evening to get their supply. The stores have already decided to open 24 hours a day to accommodate the customers.

Police have launched a crackdown on powerful firecrackers that no longer conform to regulations, including two items called 'Bin Laden Bomb' and 'Goodbye Philippines' that are said to be as powerful as five hand grenades.

According to the health department, more than 100 people have been injured in firecracker accidents and one by a stray bullet in the week ahead of New Year's Eve. Eight of the victims had their fingers amputated.

The figure is expected to rise astronomically during New Year's Eve.

Last year, 907 people were injured from December 21 to December 31, 48 per cent higher than the recorded injuries for the same period in 2005.

Police and military officials have also warned personnel and private gun owners against indiscriminately firing their weapons during the celebrations, which injured 36 people last year.

A week before New Year's Eve, officials sealed off the muzzles of service firearms of policemen and soldiers with tape signed by their commanders in a bid to deter them from firing their weapons indiscriminately.

Police Director General Avelino Razon reminded policemen that their guns should only be used to fight enemies of the state and criminals 'not to welcome the New Year.'

'Those who disobey the order will face the full force of the law,' he said.

Duque, who is leading a campaign for an eventual phaseout of the use of firecrackers by the public for New Year celebrations, urged Filipinos to look for other ways to make noises.

He recommended blowing horns, banging pots and pans, or playing loud music from the radio or stereo.

'People use firecrackers as noisemakers for luck,' he said. 'But it is definitely not lucky if you lose a limb or get hurt this season.'

'A surefire formula for a joyous peaceful revelry is to welcome the New Year with prayer and to practice safe alternative ways of merrymaking without the use of injury-causing firecrackers,' he added.