After the Christmas celebration, the Philippine National Police (PNP) shifted its focus on the upcoming New Year's Day revelry, with PNP Chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. making rounds in Bocaue, Bulacan on Friday, Dec. 29, to ensure stringent compliance of fireworks and firecrackers manufacturers and sellers to the laws governing firecracker sales. 

Acorda did not find any violations during his ocular inspection in Barangay Turo with Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando although he emphasized to the sellers the importance of preventing injuries or fatalities during the impending festivities. Bulacan is a bustling hub known its fireworks industry.

He advised local police commanders to strictly enforce Republic Act 7183 or the law which regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices to lessen, if not totally avoid, the casualties for the upcoming celebration.

"Layunin nito sa pagdiriwang ng bawat pamilya ay bawasan ang mga panganib at pinsala na maaaring idulot ng maling paggamit at pagbili ng mga paputok at pyrotechnic devices (For the celebration of each family, we aim to reduce the dangers and damage that may be caused by the improper use and acquisition of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices)," Acorda said.

"Ang pagpapatupad nito at ang mga karampatang parusa ay mahalaga para tiyakin ang pagsunod at pangangalaga sa kapaligiran at higit sa lahat sa buhay ng bawat isa. It is very unfortunate, may mga nadisgrasyang buhay in this industry (The implementation [of the law] and the appropriate penalties is important to make sure the people's compliance and in taking care of the environment, most especially the lives of each of us. It is very unfortunate that there are lives put in danger in this industry)," he noted.

A record from the PNP showed that it has confiscated a total of 28,754 pieces of prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnics including Piccolo, Pop Pop, Five Star, Pla-Pla, Giant Bawang, Judas' Belt, Mother Rockets (boga), Kwiton (Kabasi), Sawa, Roman Candle, and KingKong among others as of Dec. 29. 

The total amount of confiscated items reached P244,130.

Meanwhile, 87 individuals have sustained firecracker-related injuries, the record added.

"Ang hangad natin ay magkaroon ng isang mas ligtas at masayang Bagong Taon para sa lahat kaya naman nais namin na lahat ay sumusunod sa ating responsibilidad na magbenta at bumili ng mga produktong dekalidad at naaayon sa kaligtasan ng lahat (We aim to have a more secure and fun celebration of New Year for all that's why we want everybody to follow our responsibilities to sell and buy products that are of quality and safe for all)," Acorda said.

Online selling, buying

Meanwhile, Acorda warned that buying and selling firecrackers online is prohibited, warning offenders that they might land in jail if they ever get caught.

"Kasama sa enfocement natin 'yung mga nagbebenta online. Baka mahuli tayo, kawawa naman tayo Bagong Taon na Bagong Taon eh maghihimas tayo ng rehas. Iwas na lang tayo ng bawal (Part of our enforcement is [to monitor] those who sell [firecrackers] online. what a pity if you get caught, you might spend the New Uear in jail. Just avoid whatever is illegal)," he said in an ambush interview.

However, Bulacan Governor Fernando, who stood beside Acorda during the interview, had a different take on the issue as he said only the online selling of prohibited firecrackers is not allowed.

"'Yan po ay binabantayan din natin. Kung mga legal, wala namang problema. Ang masama doon kapag illegal ang ibebenta, iyon ang ipinagbabawal natin (We are also monitoring that. If what's being sold are legal [firecrackers], there's no problem with that. What's bad is if they are selling prohibited ones, that's what we are not allowing)," Fernando said.

For individuals who will transport firecrackers, the PNP said they should secure a permit first at Camp Crame so they could be allowed to carry the items while traveling. Failure to do so may result to the confiscation of the firecrackers in police checkpoints.

Sealing of gun muzzles

Acorda also reminded police officers to observe utmost discipline as the PNP removed the traditional sealing of gun muzzles in time for the New Year. 

The practice was observed in the previous years to discourage police officers from indiscriminately firing their weapons.

"Pangit kasi ang premise na magmuzzle ka kasi ang presumption dyan may tendency ang police na magviolate (The premise of the sealing of gun muzzle is not good because the presumption is that the police have the tendency to violate it)," Acorda explained. 

Per record from PNP, there were seven recorded incidents of illegal discharge of firearms which resulted to one injured individual. Among the suspects included two police officers and two military personnel, who were already arrested, according to the PNP chief.

"Sana magkaisa tayo. We removed that practice of placing the masking tape and we will tell to the people na kahit wala 'yan, talagang tayo’y sumusunod at professional at hindi magpapaputok indiscriminately during the New Year (I hope we will all unite. We removed that practice of placing the masking tape and we will tell to the people that even without that policy, we will obey and remain professional, and won't indiscriminately fire our guns during the New Year)," Acorda said.