Photo by Julliane Love de Jesus/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Smiling cop mascots will be going around malls and busy areas to help the Philippine National Police spread holiday safety tips and campaign against firecrackers.
Holding posters with firecracker safety slogans, “Senior Police Officer 1 Valenzuela,” “PO1 Monumento” and “PO1 Navoteño” went to Camp Crame on Thursday afternoon to help promote the PNP’s campaign for safe holiday revelry this year.
Director for Police Community Relations Danilo Constantino said in a press briefing that the mascots will be going around malls and other places of convergence to give safety tips to the public.
Newly appointed PNP head Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, in a statement read to the media by Constantino, said the 150,000-strong organization is one with the Department of Health’s “Iwas Paputok 2014.”
Espina said the PNP will strictly enforce Republic Act No. 7183, or the law that regulates the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
Firecrackers with net explosives content of more than 0.2 grams or approximately one-thirds teaspoon are prohibited by law.
“We discourage our citizens from buying these dangerous firecrackers. We have laws that prohibit these and the full force of the law will be applied to violators,” Espina added.
Prohibited firecrackers
Senior Superintendent John Bulalacao, head of the explosives management division of the Firearms and Explosives Office, enumerated several firecrackers banned under the law.
Often used by children, Picolo and Pop Pop were banned because it is made outside the country. According to the law, all imported firecrackers are prohibited.
Goodbye Philippines or Crying Bading, Goodbye Yolanda or Goodbye Napoles, Giant Kwitis and Plapla contain explosive ingredients heavier than one-thirds teaspoon, considered overweight.
Also prohibited is the manufacture and sale of Watusi, which contains yellow phosphorus, since it could be ingested by children.
If one would be found manufacturing, selling and in possession of the banned firecrackers, Bulalacao said charges could be pressed against them.
“These prohibited firecrackers are very dangerous and are known to cause serious injury or even death,” Espina said.
He also reminded all firearms holders, particularly policemen, military, and government officials, not to fire their guns during New Year revelries.
“While fewer stray bullet casualties had been reported over the years, still, every single incident is one incident too many,” Espina said.
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