Philippines
Metro Manila
Grade 5 pupil, 24-year-old man injured by firecrackers in Muntinlupa
Grade 5 pupil, 24-year-old man injured by firecrackers in Muntinlupa
A 10-year-old boy and a 24-year-old man were injured by firecrackers on Dec. 25 and 26 amid a total ban on the use of such devices in Muntinlupa.
Muntinlupa City Ordinance 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.”
Violators of the firecracker ban in Muntinlupa face a fine of P1,000 to P1,500 and imprisonment of up to six months.
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon lamented that the two were injured despite a campaign by the city government urging people not to use firecrackers.
“Meron pa rin talagang hindi nadadala at hinintay pang masaktan bago matuto ng leksyon. Inuulit ko, wag nang magpaputok dahil pwede kayong masaktan (There are still some who are not taken seriously and have waited to be hurt before learning a lesson. I repeat, do not firecrackers because you can get hurt),” Biazon posted on Facebook on Dec. 26.
He added, “Paulit-ulit ko pong pinaaalalahanan ang lahat: bawal ang paputok sa Muntinlupa alinsunod sa City Ordinance No. 14-092. Para ito sa kaligtasan ng bawat pamilya, lalo na ng ating mga anak (I would like to remind everyone again and again: firecrackers are prohibited in Muntinlupa according to City Ordinance No. 14-092. This is for the safety of every family, especially our children).”
The Muntinlupa police reported that the 10-year-old boy, a Grade 5 student and a resident of San Guillermo Street in Barangay Putatan, was injured by a Five Star firecracker on Dec. 25, Christmas Day.
The victim went to buy soft drinks from a grocery store along San Guillermo Street. Upon arriving at the grocery store, the boy noticed a group of men playing with Five Star.
He picked up one of the firecrackers that was thrown on the ground. The firecracker exploded resulting in the victim suffering burn injuries, particularly on his right thumb.
The victim’s mother brought her son to the Ospital ng Muntinlupa. He was transferred to the Medical Center Muntinlupa where he received treatment and was later discharged.
In addition, a 24-year-old man with the surname Mendoza was injured by a Five Star firecracker at about 1 a.m. on Dec. 26 in Purok 1 MLQ Road in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa.
The Muntinlupa police reported that the man found a Five Star firecracker on a roadside. He lit it and it exploded causing injuries to his face. He was brought to the hospital for treatment.
Last Dec. 19, an 11-year-old Grade 4 pupil was injured by a Piccolo firecracker that exploded, becoming the first victim of firecracker recorded in Muntinupa during the holiday season. His doctors recommended the amputation of his finger.
“Nakakalungkot dahil maiiwasan sana ang mga ganitong aksidente. Isang iglap lang, puwedeng magdulot ng matinding pinsala, trauma, o mas malalang kahihinatnan. Walang paputok na ligtas, kahit pa ito’y ‘napulot lang’ o ‘sinubukan lang. Hindi natin kailangang isugal ang kalusugan at buhay para lang mag-ingay. Marami pong ibang paraan para ipagdiwang ang Bagong Taon nang masaya at ligtas. Hinihiling ko ang kooperasyon ng lahat (It is unfortunate because such accidents could have been avoided. In just a moment, they can cause serious injury, trauma, or worse. No firecracker is safe, even if it is ‘just picked up’ or ‘just tested.’ We do not have to risk our health and lives just to make noise. There are many other ways to celebrate the New Year happily and safely),” Biazon reminded the public.
On Dec. 21, authorities arrested a 23-year-old Move It rider and Manila resident for possession of firecrackers in Sucat, Muntinlupa.
