Crackdown vs firecrackers on

The Philippine National Police’s Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) re-launched yesterday a nationwide crackdown against manufacturers and sellers of illegal pyrotechnics and other fireworks during the holidays.

FED chief Senior Superintendent Ernesto Belen said the campaign was aimed to prevent or minimize the casualties brought about by the use of pyrotechnics that cause injuries and death to revelers during the celebration of Christmas and New Year.

"The campaign was aimed to prevent the flooding in the streets of cheap but illegal fireworks that would endanger the lives of revelers at the onset of the Christmas holidays," he said.

Belen noted that education of the public and information drive have resulted to the dwindling statistics of those killed and injured, and the fire caused by firecrackers.

Belen added that the FED tasked a special task group which will conduct raids and confiscate illegal fireworks from vendors all over the country, particularly in the Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon provinces as well as Metro Manila.

Under the law, the legal firecrackers include "Bawang," baby rockets, small triangle, Judas’ belts, sparklers, luces, jumbo regular and special. Roman candle, trompillo, whistle bomb, sky rockets or kwitis and watusi.

"The basis for legal and illegal fireworks are provided under Republic Act 7183, an act regulating the sale, manufacture, and distribution of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices," Belen said.

Banned firecrackers include those known under the names Big Triangle, Super Lolo and their equivalent. Also banned from use are the Mother Rocket, Five Star, Og, Pla-pla, the homemade pillbox, and all firecrackers without labels from manufacturers.

Statistics from the PNP-FED and the Department of Health reports showed that the casualties, either dead or injured, from firecrackers and other forms of pyrotechniques for 1993 was 705, 520 in 1994, 760 in 1995, 623 in 1996, and 1,147 in 1997. There were 847 casualties in 1998; 1,568 in 1999 and 693 in 2000.

From Jan. 1, 1993 to Dec. 1, this year. Belen said there were a several of pyrotechniques and fireworks factory explosions, majority of which happened in Bulacan.

Records also showed that four people were killed while 28 were injured during explosions that happened since the start of the year.

Belen added that the nationwide campaign against indsicriminate firing of guns by policemen, soldiers, and other civilians during the Holiday season will also be in effect. He warned violators of criminal charges.

There were at least 12 casualties from stray bullets in 1993, 21 in 1994, 13 in 1996, 20 in 1997, 24 in 1998, 59 in 1999 and 29 as of January 2001.

As of Dec. 10 this year, there were a total of 107 factories of explosives and ingredients in various parts of the country, only 51 of them operating legally.