By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Reaffirming its commitment to ensure that Filipinos enjoy safe and prosperous holidays, the Philippine National Police (PNP) intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices ahead of New Year revelries.
This, as officials from PNP Regional Office 1 and the Bureau of Fire Protection facilitated the destruction of 10,906 pieces of illicit firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices and 100 improvised cannons or “boga,” which were confiscated in various separate operations in Pangasinan.
In a statement on the sidelines of the event, Deputy Provincial Director for Administration PLt. Col. Marcellano Desamito Jr. underscored the importance of keeping illegal firecrackers out of store shelves and Filipinos’ hands.
“Kailangan ang pagdiriwang ng kapaskuhan at holidays, lalo na ngayong darating na New Year, ay tahimik at peaceful. Walang dapat mangyaring disgrasya. Alam naman natin na taon-taon, problema natin ang mga aksidente, lalo na sa mga kabataan, dulot ng paggamit ng mga pyrotechnics at malalakas na pampasabog.”
He reminded the parents of their responsibility to keep youth away from these harmful explosive devices, “Hindi lang po responsibilidad ng kapulisan ang laban kontra ilegal na paputok, kundi responsibilidad ng lahat ng mamamayan, lalo na ng mga magulang, dahil ang palaging nabibiktima nito ay ang mga kabataan.”
These efforts are complemented by sustained law enforcement operations on the ground. In Dagupan City, police units successfully conducted two separate operations against violators of Republic Act No. 7183, also known as the law regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
As of Sunday, authorities have confiscated 79,953 illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices worth P1.22 million and collared 23 individuals involved in the sale and distribution of these unregulated merchandise.
Earlier, the PNP issued a ban on 31 firecrackers ahead of new year festivities, with examples cited in the list responsible for causing several firecracker-related incidents annually, especially among the youth.
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