Classify powerful firecrackers as explosives – PNP Chief

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima is pushing for measures that will classify powerful firecrackers as improvised explosive devices (IED) as part of the government’s effort to regulate illegal firecrackers.

The suggestion was made even as the PNP described as generally peaceful the celebration of the Yuletide season.

Purisima said if powerful firecrackers are classified as explosives, anyone arrested in possession of or manufacturing such will be arrested and will not be allowed to post bail.

“Those that exceed the allowable gunpowder content will be considered improvised explosives devices. It will no longer be considered a firecracker but already an explosive, thus any caught with it could be jailed without bail,” he said.

The PNP chief admitted that despite the law prohibiting the sale and use of powerful firecrackers, some unscrupulous traders still manage to sell them and people were able to buy and use them.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 413 persons were injured during the New Year revelry for using firecrackers.

The PNP, DOH and other government agencies linked up during the holidays to stir public awareness against the use of firecrackers.

Purisima said the PNP is also coordinating with the DOH in the intensified campaign against firecrackers, especially those that exceed allowable gunpowder content.

He said that the PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO), in cooperation with the police in their respective areas of responsibility, would continue to check on stores for illegal and prohibited firecrackers even after the holidays.

“The FEO would immediately revoke the license of manufacturers or dealers who would be found selling illegal and prohibited firecrackers as part of the provision of Republic Act 7183 or the law regulation manufacture, sale and distribution of firecrackers.

Unruly cops

Purisima was also mad over reports that some members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) were caught on video grabbing and taking for personal use illegal firecrackers seized in police operations.

The PNP chief instructed National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Leonardo Espina and QCPD director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega to submit to him the names of the police officers who grabbed the firecrackers for personal use.

He said the legitimate police operations, which resulted in the arrest of 246 people and confiscation of P1.65-million worth of illegal firecrackers at the height of the New Year revelry, was overshadowed by the unruly behavior of the policemen.

Espina said they conducted a total of 502 operations against illegal firecrackers on the eve of the New Year’s Day, resulting in the closure of 67 stalls and the arrest of 35 ambulant vendors.

He said vehicles loaded with illegal firecrackers were stopped and at least 854 boxes of piccolo, which the DOH claimed as the source of a big number of injuries among children, were confiscated.

Indiscriminate firing

The NCRPO recorded a total of 27 stray bullet incidents, with a four-year-old boy reportedly killed in Mandaluyong City.

The QCPD and the Southern Police District topped the list with eight incidents each, Manila Police District with six, Northern Police District with four and Eastern Police District with two.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigael Valte said nine persons were arrested on New Year’s Eve, “all suspected of indiscriminate firing” and were under process.

From Dec. 16 to 29, the NCRPO arrested and charged a security guard and eight civilians for indiscriminately firing their handguns.

So far, no police or soldier was reported to have fired guns during the New Year revelry.

“Based on the reports gathered from field units this noon, there is zero incident of soldiers firing their issued firearms other than discharge of official duties and responsibilities,” Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said in a text message to The STAR yesterday.

Burgos said the development indicates the soldiers’ “discipline, professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law.” – Non Alquitran, Alexis Romero, Aurea Calica