More than 6,000 firecrackers, "boga," open pipe mufflers, and motorcycles were seized and impounded by the Muntinlupa police during the New Year celebration.
Muntinlupa police chief Col. Angel Garcillano ordered his men to implement City Ordinance No. 14-092 which prohibits “the manufacture, display, sale, distribution, possession, or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the exploding of firecrackers or other similar explosives within the territorial jurisdiction of Muntinlupa City.”
The use of open pipe mufflers is also banned under City Ordinance No. 04-22.
Garcillano said the 6,402 confiscated items amounted to P210,748.
The 6,298 firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices confiscated by the police included 2,171 Luces, 2,117 Five Star, 606 Kwitis, 590 Super Lolo and Plapla, 223 Whistle Bombs, 144 Fountains, 48 Diamond Fantasy World, 22 Judas Belt and 10 Higad Firecrackers.
Five persons were arrested for violation of the firecracker ban ordinance.
In addition, 73 pieces of “Boga” and eight open pipe mufflers were seized, and 23 motorcycles were impounded.
“In general, the New Year celebrations within Muntinlupa City was generally peaceful with zero (0) casualties of firecracker and stray bullet-related injuries and incident,” said Garcillano.
Mayor Ruffy Biazon ordered the strict implementation of the two ordinances and urged people to welcome the New Year using alternative means.
Despite the ban, some residents defied and violated the ordinance and lit firecrackers on New Year’s Eve.
This resulted in the injury of five persons who were rushed to different hospitals in Muntinlupa for treatment.