The Muntinlupa Policeapprehended 17 people and seized nearly 7,700 pieces of “boga” and firecrackers in different barangays as they continued the crackdown on prohibited items ahead of the New Year’s Eve celebration.
The sale and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, and use of modified mufflers and pipes on vehicles are banned in Muntinlupa based on two ordinances.
City Ordinance No. 14-092 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 firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices seized by the Muntinlupa Police (Photos from Muntinlupa Police)
The use of modified mufflers and open pipes is prohibited under the Muntinlupa Traffic Code or City Ordinance No. 04-022.
Section 85 of the ordinance on Mufflers and Noise Controlling Devices states that “no person shall operate a motor vehicle on a street unless such motor vehicle is equipped, at all times, with a muffler or mufflers in constant operation and of sufficient capacity for the motor, and equipped with an exhaust system to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke and unusual noise.”
Data showed that from Dec. 23 to 6 a.m. of Dec. 31, the Muntinlupa Police seized 7,694 pieces of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
These include 270 pieces of Kwiton, 2,501 large Judas Belt, 1,251 Piccolo, 1,745 Five Star, 15 Poppop, 18 Pla-pla, 43 giant Bawang, 71 giant Whistle Bomb, and 1,458 other types of firecrackers equivalent to P74,700.
The police also seized 322 pieces of “boga” (improvised cannon) worth P16,650.
On Dec. 30, a person called the police to complain about a “boga” being used by a resident of Country Homes Alabang Subdivision in Barangay Putatan. The police went to the area and seized the item.
Muntinlupa Police seize a "boga" in Country Homes Alabang Subdivision in Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa on Dec. 30 (Photo from Muntinlupa Police)
A total of 17 people were apprehended in Barangays Putatan, Alabang, Sucat, Poblacion and Buli. They were fined P11,400.
In a message, Mayor Ruffy Biazon appealed to people to follow the two ordinances.
“Dapat bang gawin tradisyon ang paglabag sa Ordinansa? Hindi ba ang dapat nating pinapairal na tradisyon ay yung walang nilalabag na batas, hindi nakakasagabal, nakakapinsala o tanggap ng nakakarami? Hindi ba dapat yung mga gawain na #Nakakaproud ang ginagawang tradisyon? (Should violating the Ordinance be made a tradition? Shouldn't the tradition we should be practicing be one that doesn't violate any law, doesn't interfere, is not harmful, or is accepted by the majority? Shouldn't the activities that are #Nakakaproud be made a tradition?)” he posted on Facebook.
He added, “Pinag utos ko ang pagpapatupad ng batas (City Ordinance No. 04-22 na pinagbabawal ang modified/open muffler) dahil yun ang aking sinumpaang tungkulin -- ipatupad ng tapat ang batas. Yan ang sinumpaang tungkulin naming mga opisyal ng lungsod, mapa barangay o city government ("I ordered the implementation of the law (City Ordinance No. 04-22 prohibiting modified/open mufflers) because that is my sworn duty -- to faithfully enforce the law. That is the sworn duty of us city officials, barangay officials or city government).”
“Hamon ko sa mga Muntinlupeño-- magpakita tayo ng pagiging disiplinado at may malasakit sa kapwa. Pairalin natin ang Rule of Law. Hindi yung imbes na himukin natin ang kababayan na sumunod sa batas ay hahamakin pa natin ang alagad ng batas sa kanilang pagpatupad ng ordinansa. Salubungin natin ang bagong taon ng masaya, responsable at ligtas!” (My challenge to the Muntinlupeños-- let's show discipline and concern for others. Let's make the Rule of Law work. It's not that instead of encouraging our countrymen to obey the law, we will despise law enforcement officers for their enforcement of ordinances. Let's welcome the new year happily, responsibly and safely)," he said.