Firecrackers confiscated

CEBU, Philippines - Coast Guard operatives confiscated P48,000-worth of illegal firecrackers at the port area while these are about to be transported to Leyte.

Coast Guard Commander Rolando Punzalan said that before the firecrackers were seized by his men yesterday morning, they received a report that firecrackers will be smuggled through the port area.

Punzalan quickly formed a team to monitor and verify the reports which led to the discovery of 10 boxes of “piccolo,” a small type of firecrackers at Baclig Avenue in Pier 4.

The Coast Guard official said nobody claimed ownership of the explosive products when these were confiscated by his men at 5:30 a.m. yesterday.

Republic Act 7183 which regulates the manufacture, sale and possession of firecrackers and explosive products provides that those who wish to buy firecrackers should purchase it from legitimate dealers.

The explosive products shall not be transported in land through public transport system, otherwise these will be confiscated.

However, these can be transported by public transport vessels with certain conditions which include that the explosive products shall be properly declared and will be marked as explosive, these will then be placed in areas far from passengers to avoid risks in case of accidents.

Meanwhile, the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) Central Visayas confiscated yesterday P10, 000 worth of firecrackers and pyrotechnics from several stalls at the Carbon Public Market in a surprise inspection.

FED chief Rex Derilo led the operation together with 10 policemen from Police Regional Office – 7.

Together with members of the local media, the team headed by Derilo, raided several stalls along Manalili Street, where several firecrackers and pyrotechnics were recovered.

At first, the team thought they could not find anyone illegally selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics but after a few minutes, the first stall was spotted.

Derilo said most of the illegal sellers have devised ways to sell their firecrackers and pyrotechnics without displaying it.

“Nanago naman ni sila karon, ila lang i-pagawas kun naay mo-order,” he said.   

After the inventory of seized firecrackers and pyrotechnics, the contrabands were brought back to the FED before it will be detonated safely. Stall attendants refused to disclose the identities of the stall owners.

“Kulang ra na nga bas-on nimo ang mga pabuto. Kay posible nga mo-buto man gihapon na. Mao nga amo ra sila pabuthon,” Derilo said. 

Derilo said yesterday’s raid should serve as a strong message to those who are illegally selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics, adding that they are very serious in implementing the law.

Once caught, Derilo said that the full force of the law will be imposed upon them and their contrabands will be destroyed.

As of yesterday, there are at total of 218 duly licensed firecrackers and pyrotechnics sellers which already received their Regional Director’s Permit (RDs permit).

In the Province of Cebu, 177 sellers have been licensed; 22 in Bohol; 11 in Siquijor and 10 in Dumaguete, he said. The said permit was only implemented early this month to further assure the compliance of the law.

In the past, the mayor’s permit is the final requirement needed by retailers to start selling, but with the new directive from Camp Crame, the mayor’s permit simply serves as prerequisite for the regional director’s permit.  (FREEMAN)