4 injured in firecracker blast

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Four persons were injured when powerful firecrackers stored in a house exploded in Purok 6, Barangay Bonfal here on Wednesday night.

Senior Inspector Apolonio Diaz, provincial fire marshal, identified the injured as Anastacio Ambros, 68; Margie Tabajonda, 38; Jessie Marie Ambros, 22, and Marriane Galamay, 18.

Apolonio said the victims were inside the house where the wake of their deceased grandmother Maria Flora Ambros was being held when the huge explosion occurred at the adjacent house owned by Alfredo Tabajonda at about 6:10 p.m.

Police said the explosions blew off the walls and roof of the two houses.

The coffin of the deceased was also damaged.

Two other nearby houses were also damaged by the explosion.

Bayombong police chief Inspector Wilfredo Velayo said investigators recovered 16 types of powerful firecrackers inside the house of Tabajonda.

Tabajonda said that some of the firecrackers have been stored inside his house for more than four years.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) launched yesterday the anti-firecracker campaign this Yuletide season by calling on parents to stop their children from using any kind of pyrotechnics.

“It’s difficult to control children so we are calling on parents to be responsible enough to address this concern. Have pity on your children. Imagine them growing up without a hand,” said DOH spokesman Lyndon Lee Suy.

With the theme “Mahalaga ang Buhay, Iwasan ang Paputok,” acting Health Secretary Janette Garin has urged the public to do away with firecrackers in ushering in the New Year.

“There are other means to celebrate than exploding firecrackers and lighting fireworks. Mahalaga ang buhay (Life is precious). It is not worth risking lives and limbs,” she noted.        – With Sheila Crisostomo