Some Lapu-Lapu firecracker vendors ‘hard-headed’ — cops

CEBU, Philippines – Despite the seminars and constant reminders from authorities, some firework product manufacturers in Lapu-Lapu City remained “hard-headed.”

The police had this to say after conducting several operations that led to the confiscation of illegally sold firecrackers in some barangays.

“Naay madakpan kay naa gyud mopalusot ug maggama. Wala nato ma-identify (ang mga illegal nga namaligyaay) kay katung pag-approach nato, nanagan sila. Atoa nalang gipangkuha ang lisensya sa tindahan mismo,”  said Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, acting director of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Lapu-Lapu police recently raided firework stalls in Barangays Pajac, Calawisan and Babag.

Radoc said the owners of the illegal firecrackers in Babag may have undergone seminars from the city government, police and Lapu-Lapu City Fire District but they have remained hard-headed.

“Panahon sa seminar, niapil gyud ang kapitan. So ako lang ingon, nay uban nga magpabadlong gyud mao na nga wala gyud ta’y mahimo ana gawas sa pagsita ug dakpon gyud na ang ubang magpabadlong,” he said.

From their conversations with stall owners, Radoc said some of the owners or manufacturers reasoned out that they were not aware of the reminders from the authorities or that they were not able to join the seminars jointly hosted by the police and fire departments, along with the city government.

Radoc added that residents in Barangay Babag will undergo another fireworks safety seminar next year.

He strongly reminded the public not to buy any kinds of fireworks display from unlicensed stores as they may have not been properly manufactured.

“Ang mga mamalitay, ilaha paliton kanang sa legal nga tindahan. Imbes mag-enjoy sa New Year, mag problema na nuon kay nay aksidente,” Radoc said.

Lately, an estimated P41,620 worth of illegal firecrackers was seized by the City Intelligence Branch in three mentioned barangays in the city.

Last December 17, Angeles Curacha, 45, was arrested by Gun-ob police after allegedly making fireworks in her own house in SitioLamoy-Kinalumsan, Barangay Gun-ob and not in Barangay Babag, which has been designated as a firecracker zone.

Police confiscated from Curacha’s house 96 pieces of small fountains, another 83 small unlabeled fountains, including 148 hotdog-shaped fireworks – all placed in three sacks and four bundles of bamboo sticks.

Senior Inspector Wilbert Parilla, chief of Gun-ob Police Station, said though Curacha had the license to operate a firecracker business, making of fireworks should only be done within Barangay Babag and not in her residence. (FREEMAN)