Police vow action vs jeepney carolers, illegal firecrackers

CEBU, Philippines - With the yuletide season fast approaching, the Police Regional Office-7 will institute measures against the anticipated rise of illegal firecrackers as well as jeepney carolers.

Regional Special Operations Group chief Superintendent Rex Derilo said they will strictly monitor the selling of illegal firecrackers as they foresee an increase of retailers this year.

According to him, there are six accredited manufacturers in Central Visayas, five of which are in Cebu and one in Bohol.

Derilo said they are expecting more accredited retailers this year. Last year, the police had reprimanded those who were not certified and confiscated their products.

He said retailers are required to attend seminars on fireworks safety conducted as early as August in order to get certified.

Cebu City Police Office deputy city director for administration Superintendent Alet Virtucio said they will also start to monitor those who are selling smuggled firecrackers in the city.

Aside from illegal firecrackers, local police stations will also monitor and take actions on the anticipated increase of jeepney carolers, he said.

He added that they will strongly implement the provisions of City Ordinance 1631 or the Anti-Mendicancy Law and arrest violators.

Last month, the Women and Children Protection Desk of CCPO rescued at least 13 minors and an 18-year-old in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City who were reported as street children or “batang libud suroy.”

Virtucio said these kids were allegedly involved in caroling inside jeepneys as well as in snatching incidents.

“Manuktok sa mga jeepneys. Kung dili ka mohatag, garasan ang kilid sa sakyanan,” said the police official.

The rescued children were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7. — Janice Marsada, USJ-R MassCom Intern/NSA (FREEMAN)