By Diann Calucin
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) destroyed confiscated firecrackers and pyrotechnics worth P810,697 at Camp Karingal, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City on Saturday, Dec. 31.
The firecrackers and pyrotechnics were seized from 58 operations conducted by 16 police stations and units in Quezon City from Dec. 20 to 30.
The QCPD said the confiscation and destruction of firecracker were done by members of the Explosive and Ordnance Division (EOD), QCPD, and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in line with the “Ligtas Salubong 2023” campaign.
QCPD director Brig. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III called on the public to cooperate in the Ligtas Salubong 2023 campaign for a safer and orderly holiday celebration.
Among the confiscated firecrackers and pyrotechnics were Picollo, Poppop, Five Star, Pla-pla, Ginat Whistle Bomb, Atomic Bomb (Super Lolo), Atomic Triangle (Goodbye Bading), and large Judas Belt (Goodbye Philippines).
Owners of the firecrackers were charged for violation of Republic Act 7183 (An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and other Pyrotechnic devices) and City Ordinance No. SP 2618, S-2017 which prohibits the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in all public places in Quezon City.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa ating mamamayan na sumunod sa ating ipinapatutupad na batas at ordinansa ngunit mayroon pa din pong mangilan-ngilan na matitigas ang ulo na halos sa mga public market nagbebenta ay inakala makakalusot sa batas, kung kaya ay hindi kami nag-atubiling kumpiskahin ang mga nasabing ipinagbabawal na firecrackers (We are grateful to people who obey our laws and ordinances, but there are still few violators who sell firecrackers in public market, thinking that they could get away with the law)," Torre III said.
In line with the New Year's celebration, Torre III reminded the police officers to avoid indiscriminate firing.
Cops defying the order will be charged with criminal offenses and will be immediately dismissed from the service, he stressed.