Lapu-Lapu police lay down holiday security measures

CEBU, Philippines – Lapu-Lapu City police continue to monitor security threats as the Christmas and New Year season draws near.

Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, acting director of LCPO, said two groups  will be assigned for the two holidays as a way of maximizing their manpower.

“We are doubling our efforts in monitoring both events. There will be two groups. One will be assigned during Christmas while the other  will be working on New Year’s Eve,” Radoc said.

There are 476 police personnel under LCPO and they are given a six-day break each before going on duty for the holidays.

“Leave forms filed by police are cancelled to give way to city’s security during the holidays,” the official said.

Since using fireworks in the streets is a tradition, Radoc reminded the public on proper handling of fireworks display to avoid accidents.

“Super Lolo, triangle-shaped firecrackers and other banned fancy explosives should be avoided especially by the children,” he said.

Yesterday afternoon, Radoc and other LCPO personnel inspected the fireworks stalls for the second time in Barangay Babag after their initial inspection last Friday morning.

Radoc also said the case of Angeles Curacha, 45, who was caught making fireworks in her residence in Sitio Lamoy-Kinalumsan, Barangay Gun-ob last week, was filed yesterday morning before the City Prosecutor's Office.

Curacha will be charged for allegedly violating Republic Act 7183 or “the law on pyrotechnic devices, persons caught manufacturing, selling, distributing and purchasing.”

Curacha made her fireworks products at home, police said, when it should have been manufactured in a manufacturing zone in Babag.

Radoc said though Angeles was able to bail out, revocation of her business permit is possible.

In a text message, Mayor Paz Radaza said the City Attorney's Office will be the one to check Curacha’s permit.

"The PNP will file the case and of course, the City Attorney's Office will check in our issuance of the permit kay she should be manufacturing in Barangay Babag," Radaza said. (FREEMAN)