NCRPO aims for zero casualty for 2023 New Year celebrations

Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo (center) is flanked by PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., and Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. at the rollout of the BIDA Program in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig on Dec. 12, 2022. (Photo from the Facebook account of the NCRPO Public Information Office)

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is aiming for a zero casualty in the coming New Year’s eve celebrations, saying that policemen are continuously conducting operations to confiscate illegal firecrackers.

According to NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, the Metro Manila police is cracking down on illegal firecrackers to avoid injuries associated with New Year celebrations.

“It is our fervent desire to at least minimize this recurrent perennial problem if not to zero firecracker-related injuries and fire incidents in Metro Manila.  However, I am saddened that despite the clear and constant reminder which we have communicated with the people of Metro Manila using all forms of media available […] there are those who flagrantly disregarded this friendly reminder,” Estomo said.

“Hence, we are impelled to perform our mandate to confiscate these illegal items,” he added.

An estimated P700,000-worth of illegal firecrackers were seized in several operations in Metro Manila, in accordance with the Ligtas Paskuhan 2022 operations.

Among the illegal firecrackers seized are the following:

• Piccolo
• Poppop
• Five Star
• Pla-Pla Lolo Thunder
• Giant Bawang
• Ginat Whistle Bomb
• Atomic Bomb (Super Lolo)
• Atomic Triangle (Goodbye Bading)
• Large Size
• Judas Belt (Goodbye Philippines)
• Goodbye Delima (Bin Laden)
• Hello Columbia (Mother Rockets)
• Goodbye Napoles (Coke-In-Can)
• Super Yolanda (Pillbox)
• Mother Rockets (Boga)
• Kwiton (Kabasi)

The confiscated firecrackers were destroyed in a ceremonial destruction on Thursday.

“I am proud to inform the people of Metro Manila that we had a generally peaceful celebration of the yuletide season and we are in high hopes that we will also welcome the new year safe and peaceful. This may be attributed not only to the untiring campaigns and operations conducted by your police but also to your ceaseless support and cooperation.” Estomo said.

Last Wednesday, Estomo announced that over 1,300 police officers have been tasked to go after illegal firecracker users, in accordance with Executive Order No. 28 and Republic Act No. 7183.

Executive Order No. 28 was signed in 2017 by former president Rodrigo Duterte to reduce firecracker-related injuries, by setting up community fireworks displays in areas where risks are minimal.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is one of the key agencies tasked to implement the order and is also the one that classifies which firecrackers are safe for use and what are banned.

READ: Duterte orders regulated, controlled use of firecrackers 

JPV