At least 3 killed, 600 injured in Philippine New Year's revelry
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-01 18:08

At least three people were killed and more than 600 others were injured, mostly by firecracker blasts, in New Year's revelry in the Philippines as many defied a government ban and continued a tradition of reckless celebrations.

At least one person died from celebratory gun firing and two from accidentally eating a popular candy-looking sparkler in the run-up to the new year, police and health officials said. They said 610 others were injured, mostly by firecracker blasts.

Although fewer people died than in previous new year celebrations, the number of injuries increased slightly, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

Philippine officials took a variety of steps to try to curb the casualties.

Police officials wrapped the nozzles of their men's guns with paper tape and signed their names on the symbolic seals to ensure they would not be used in celebratory firing.

Despite police warnings of arrests, 26 people were hit by celebratory gunfire, including a young girl who died after being struck by a bullet as she was entering her house in Cavite province near Manila. Only one man was arrested by police for firing a gun as the new year approached.

Health officials encouraged TV networks to replay gory footage showing firecracker blast victims writhing in pain as doctors treated their mangled fingers or hands and bloodied faces.

Asked if he considered the government's campaign a failure, Duque replied that it still succeeded in limiting firecracker injuries, citing figures in 2000, when victims exceeded 1,000, with more deaths.

"It can't be said that it was a failure," Duque said. "It's not that bad."

Although firecracker blasts were less intense in metropolitan Manila than in the past, more than half of the accidents occurred in the congested capital of 12 million people.

Unlike previous years, firecracker explosions intensified only in the final hour before the new year and left only a thin wisp of smoke over a few communities. Previous celebrations left thick, dark smog over the city, forcing airports to close.

The celebrations erupted into brawls in some neighborhoods. In Manila's Tayuman working-class district, a group of young men attacked a passing motorcycle taxi driver with wooden clubs and stones after he complained of firecrackers thrown in his path. The badly beaten driver was taken to a hospital.

Superstitious Filipinos believe the noisy New Year's celebrations, largely influenced by Chinese tradition, drive away evil and misfortune.

But some have taken the celebrations to bizarre levels and show off with daredevil stunts, including holding exploding firecrackers in their hands, standing close to fireworks or starting firework displays in crowded neighborhoods.