New Year celebration in ZamboSur generally peaceful

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, January 4 (PIA) –- The recent celebration of New Year was generally peaceful, this was disclosed by Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) Assistant Provincial Director for Operations Supt. Jalilul Bandahala.

Bandahala said the successful celebration was attributed to the intensified nationwide campaign against prohibited fire-crackers and indiscriminate gun-firing following the orders of the PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima.

Bandahala said 33 boxes of banned firecrackers were confiscated by the joint team of Firearms, Explosives, Security Agencies and Guard Section (FESAGS), Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC), and personnel of Pagadian City PNP a day before the celebration of New Year.

The successful minimizing of Yuletide casualties and injuries this year was also due to the cooperation of civilians. “Without civilians’ cooperation, the PNP cannot fulfill its mandate of reducing the fire-crackers related-incidence and indiscriminate gun firing,” he added.

Bandahala said he did not receive any reports or complaints about policemen firing their guns unnecessarily during the holiday season.  “These shows that our men are professionals in terms of discipline and loyalty of their service,” he concluded. (JPA/GCC/PIA,Pagadian City)