AP FILE PHOTO
DIGOS CITY – A resident who defied an executive order issued last year by Mayor Joseph Peñas banning firecrackers in the city has become a self-proclaimed poster boy of the anti-firecracker campaign here.
Junrez Ampoc, of Barangay Zone III, said he had found out that it was not easy to violate orders.
“I think I would start campaigning against (firecrackers),” he said from the police’s holding cell here on Thursday.
Ampoc was setting off a piccolo and a whistle bomb when patrolling police officers saw him along Rizal Ave. on New Year’s day.
Even if the ban had been repeatedly announced over local radio stations with a warning that those setting off firecrackers would be arrested, Ampoc was unmindful of the approaching patrol car, Supt. Querubin Manalang Jr., acting city police chief, said.
“It was unbelievable he did not know there was an existing ban. Other people knew,” Manalang said, adding that the man even reasoned out he was not aware of the order.
But because ignorance of law excuses no one, Manalang said Ampoc was taken into police custody and was locked at the police’ detention cell.
“He became the lone suspect apprehended as we implemented for the first time an order banning firecrackers in the city,” he said.
Supt. Ronaldo Llanera, Davao del Sur police director, said Digos City became the first to declare a ban on firecrackers in the province.
Llanera said based on Peñas’ order, only pyrotechnics that displays colorful lights were allowed.
Powerful firecrackers like ‘‘piccolo’’, ‘‘plapla’’, ‘‘triangulo’’, ‘‘Judas belt’’ and similar firecrackers had been outlawed and even their sale was no longer allowed, Peñas said.
“I wouldn’t be celebrating the New Year with any firecracker from now on,” Ampoc said with a smile.
In Tagum City, many residents refused to buy firecrackers and instead trooped to the Open Arena of the New City Hall there to watch the city-sponsored fireworks display.
Mayor Allan Rellon said that the annual fireworks display was the city government’s way of luring people away from spending money on fireworks.
“Each year, it is being spectacularly held so there is no more need for them to put up their own show,” Rellon said, adding that for the New Year celebration, the budget was P400,000.
In Mlang, North Cotabato, the high number of firecracker-related injuries reported there for December and the first days of 2014 have prompted the municipal health officer to say it was time to ask the Sangguniang Bayan for a firecracker ban.
“I think this is high time to ban firecrackers in our town to prevent future injuries especially among the children,” Dr. Glecerio Sotea said.
Sotea said he was now drafting a letter to be sent to the town council, which would contain his request and the reasons for the need to pass it.
At least 20 people were injured by firecrackers here since Dec. 25 and among them was a seven-year-old boy, who got severe burns in his hand after the piccolo he lighted prematurely went off.