Fireworks kill 8-year-old boy in Cordova

CEBU, Philippines - An eight-year-old boy died after he was hit by exploding fireworks during the feast in Barangay San Miguel in Cordova town Monday night.

A house near the area where the fireworks were lit was also burned partially when the display went haywire.

The child, Sam Monteron, was rushed to the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital but he passed away during treatment owing to injuries.

PO3 Vilma Degamo said residents of the barangay were waiting for the fireworks display following the evening Mass. The first round of fireworks was reportedly lit successfully but problems occurred in the second round.

Instead of shooting into the air, several fireworks reportedly exploded on the ground, one of which hit the boy who was nearby.

“Naigo ning bata sir sa iyang tuong tiyan didto g’yud nibuto sa tiyan, natumba ning bata. Nibangon pa unta nagpuyos sa tina-i pero natumba ra pod,” Degamo said.

Several fireworks also hit the house owned by Narciso Ochea and put his curtains, bed sheets, and chairs on fire.

Degamo said witnesses told investigators it was the so-called “bombshell,” a spherical-shaped firework mainly used in professional firework display, that malfunctioned and exploded on the ground.

The manufacturer, Juliet Wahing, has a license to operate but does not have a license to execute a fireworks display.

SPO2 Glen Facturan of the Firearms and Explosive Office in Cebu said they are awaiting investigation results from the Cordova Police.

Once the investigation results are in, FEO will check if Wahing has a license to operate and license to display fireworks, which are issued by Camp Crame.

The men who lit the fireworks, Jason Toquib, 31, and Joseph Berdin, 29, have been turned over to authorities. They are facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property. — (FREEMAN)