News Briefs: Feb. 13, 2019

Duterte says he’ll soon ban firecrackers nationwide

President Rodrigo Duterte said he would soon issue an order banning firecrackers and pyrotechnics nationwide.

At the distribution of land reform titles in Buluan town, Maguindanao province, the President said he would want a ban similar to the one in force in Davao City, where he was mayor for more than 20 years.

“How many of our children got blind, lost hands?” the President said at the distribution ceremony, referring to countless reports of firecracker injuries in the past. —Jeoffrey Maitem

On land reform, Duterte says he can beat Reds

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said the people need not look up to communist rebels for land reform.

He said under his administration, he would give away all public lands to farmers.

“Give it all,” the President told Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castricciones during land reform title distribution in Buluan town, Maguindanao.

“We don’t need the NPA. What for?” the President said referring to the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. —Jeoffrey Maitem

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