By Eva Visperas
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The province of Pangasinan celebrated a largely peaceful New Year’s celebration, with a significant reduction in focus crimes and no reported cases of stray bullets during the revelry.
In an interview on Monday with Police Col. Rollyfer Capoquian, provincial director of the Pangasinan Police Office, he shared their success in ensuring safety, as well as the challenges that still need to be addressed for future holidays.
On December 31, 2024, Capoquian confirmed that there were zero reported incidents of focus crimes, which include robbery, homicide, murder, and physical injury. This was a remarkable achievement given the tradition of alcohol consumption and the potential for altercations during New Year’s celebrations, he said.
According to Capoquian, this success was largely due to strategic police deployments across key areas in the province, including national highways and major towns such as Lingayen, Binmaley, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Dagupan, Urdaneta, Binalonan, Villasis, and Rosales.
“We made sure that our police visibility was felt everywhere,” said Capoquian. “Police officers were stationed at key locations to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents. This proactive approach helped us keep the peace,” he added.
While incidents of violent crime were avoided, Capoquian noted a tragic drowning accident at the Lingayen beach involving vacationers from outside Pangasinan.
On indiscriminate firing, he said, “Fortunately, no one was injured by stray bullets, a common safety concern during New Year celebrations due to the illegal practice of indiscriminate firing.”
Meanwhile, Capoquian said that a major success for the police was the ceremony marking the destruction of illegal firecrackers on December 30 as well as random police checks of stalls selling pyrotechnics– an initiative aimed at reducing injuries from firecracker-related accidents.
He stressed the importance of continuous education and information campaigns regarding firecracker safety, as injuries were significantly lower in 2024 compared to the previous year.
However, he also pointed out a rise in injuries that occurred after the celebration, when firecrackers that appeared to be “duds” unexpectedly exploded.
“People often think that firecrackers that didn’t go off right away are safe to handle, but that’s not the case,” Capoquian said.
“We need to focus on three phases of preparation: before, during, and after the celebration. While we’ve been successful in educating people before and during the event, the danger lingers after the festivities,” he added.
According to Capoquian, the total number of firecracker-related injuries for the 2025 New Year celebration stood at 47, a notable decrease from previous years.
However, the shift towards loud mufflers in motorcycles during the celebration presented a new challenge. Police received numerous reports of noise disturbances, which can cause hearing damage and even accidents.
“The loud mufflers have become a growing concern,” Capoquian said.
“We know this is part of the tradition, but we also need to address the health and safety risks they pose. We are actively enforcing laws against noise pollution and will continue our campaign to catch offenders, especially among young motorists,” he said.
As the year progresses, Capoquian emphasized the need for continued public awareness, especially in the aftermath of New Year’s celebrations, to prevent future accidents. He also called for stricter enforcement of laws regulating noisy mufflers and firecrackers to ensure the safety of all residents in Pangasinan.
“We are committed to making Pangasinan safer. By working together with the community, we can make future celebrations even safer for everyone,” Capoquian said.