NCRPO intensifies drive vs. illegal firecrackers

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MANILA — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has intensified its campaign against the illegal sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, with police operations resulting in the confiscation of PHP100,000 worth of the illegal items in various parts of Metro Manila.

NCRPO acting chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said the move is to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries during the New Year’s Day revelry.

The five districts covered by the NCRPO are the Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD).

The NCRPO has also coordinated with the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) and the chiefs of city police to talk with local government executives on the designated areas to sell firecrackers.

Usually, there are only one to two designated areas for the sale of firecrackers in each city in Metro Manila.

“We cannot discount the incidents that were caused by negligence, blatant disregard of safety standards and violation of rules and regulations. Sudden loss of lives and livelihood could have been prevented if only extraordinary diligence was observed,” Sinas said.

Sinas warned that sellers of illegal firecrackers would face criminal charges.

From a high of 929 incidents recorded in January 2016, only 307 incidents were recorded in January 2019 which translates to a 66.95-percent decrease in the same period last year.

Prohibited firecrackers include piccolo, watusi, giant whistle bomb, giant bawang, large Judas belt, super lolo, lolo thunder, boga, goodbye Philippines, among others.

Meanwhile, Sinas said the first recorded case of indiscriminate firing was committed by a Chinese national in Pasay City.

A police report said Kimmy Chan, 30, was arrested for alarm and scandal and violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Acts.

Based on the report, Chan fired a shot in front of HK 88 Music and Restaurant on Roxas Boulevard in Barangay 76 Zone 10 at 5:30 a.m. on Christmas Day.

The report added that Chan was about to leave a restaurant going to his car and he deliberately fired his gun that caused panic and fear in the area.

Confiscated from him were a cal. 25 pistol, a piece of Glock 9mm magazine and five 9mm live ammunition.

Sinas added that accounting of police in the camps and stations would be at 7 pm on December 31 to assure no policemen would be involved in indiscriminate firing.

“Para sa mga sibilyan, kung gun user kayo ingat kayo kasi mati-trace na natin yan (To the civilians, if you are a gun user be careful because we will trace you),” Sinas said in a press briefing.

Sinas urged the public to help in identifying the people committing indiscriminate firing.

“Yung mga kababayan natin pag kayo may alam na nagpaputok ng baril ay ituro nyo para maaresto natin (To our countrymen, if you know someone firing, point it so that we can arrest them),” Sinas said.