(UPDATE) IN the lead-up to the New Year revelry, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has directed all police chiefs nationwide to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) on the possible establishment of designated centralized markets for firecrackers and pyrotechnics. LtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting PNP chief, said the directive was issued as firecracker-related injuries continued to rise days before New Year’s Day. Data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed at least 28 firecracker-related injury cases recorded from Dec. 21-25, a figure authorities expect to increase as celebrations peak. Nartatez said concentrating the sale of firecrackers in specific areas would allow authorities to more closely monitor vendors and products, while reducing risks to the public. “The main purpose is proper regulation and public safety. By designating a specific area in every town or city where people could buy firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials, we can easily monitor and prevent the selling of illegal firecrackers,” Nartatez said on Friday. He instructed police chiefs to work closely with LGUs in identifying safe locations for the designated selling areas and in setting the allowable period for the sale of firecrackers. Under the plan, designated areas will have a visible police presence, coordinated with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). Fire trucks and emergency responders will also be placed on standby for any incident, Nartatez said, adding that centralized selling areas would help curb the sale of illegal firecrackers, as transactions outside the designated zones would be considered unauthorized. “Centralized selling areas allow us to inspect vendors and products closely. It will be easier for us to determine which firecrackers are legal and which are illegal,” he said. The PNP also urged the public to cooperate with the authorities and observe safety guidelines to help ensure a peaceful and injury-free New Year celebration. Indiscriminate firing The PNP has also intensified its monitoring of indiscriminate firing incidents and arrested seven individuals, including several police officers, from Dec. 16-26, according to official records. The arrests were the result of heightened internal monitoring by the PNP targeting members of its ranks involved in illegal gunfire incidents, authorities said. Among those apprehended were a police master sergeant assigned to the City Police Station under the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office, a police senior master sergeant assigned to the Iloilo City Police Office, and a patrolman from the Third Special Operations Unit of the Maritime Group under the National Capital Region Police Office. Another patrolman assigned to the Opol Municipal Police Station in Misamis Oriental also surrendered in connection with an indiscriminate firing incident. Based on PNP data, a total of seven people were arrested nationwide for their alleged involvement in indiscriminate firing. BGen. Randulf Tuaño, chief of the PNP Public Information Office (PIO), said the organization would not tolerate violations committed by its own personnel, emphasizing that strict rules and policies are in place regarding the use of firearms. “The PNP will not condone any form of misconduct, especially indiscriminate firing, regardless of rank,” Tuaño said, adding that erring officers would face administrative and criminal charges. The PNP reiterated its call for discipline among its personnel and urged the public to report any incidents involving illegal discharge of firearms.