By DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A man nearly lost his right hand for picking up a lighted firecracker during a drinking session with relatives in Purok Kamunsil, Barangay Sampinit, Bago City, Negros Occidental early morning of Christmas Day.
Forty-five-year-old tricycle driver Rex Gallendo was a resident of the aforementioned place.
According to Bago City police, Gallendo’s brother, Eduardo, lit a “whistle bomb” and threw it on the ground.
For still unclear reasons, however, Gallendo picked up the firecracker which then exploded in his right hand.
The victim was rushed by his family to the Bago City Hospital and later transferred to the Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital for further treatment.
According to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office), Gallendo is their first firecracker blast injury recorded thus far.
Both the police and the Department of Health (DOH) previously reminded the public to refrain from using firecrackers, with the DOH recommending finding other means to make noise.
DOH has also recommended not using trumpets or torotot this coming New Year’s Day as the coronavirus pandemic is not over yet./PN
