There was absolutely no violation of the provisions of the ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnics as contained in City Ordinance 060-02 during the Christmas celebration in Davao City up to last night, December 28.
The ordinance prohibits the manufacture, possession, use or sale of firecrackers. There were no cases as well as indiscriminate firing of guns. There was likewise no cases of fire due to firecrackers.
City Ordinance 060-02 prohibiting the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the exploding of firecrackers or other similar explosives within the territorial jurisdiction.
“The Philippine National Police in Region 11 deployed a total of 3,212 personnel, including 93 police commissioned officers and 2,700 police non-commissioned personnel this includes the force multipliers of 372 in all,” said PCI Andrea Dela Cerna, spokesperson of PRO XI during the AFP-PNP Southern Mindanao Press Corps Media Briefing yesterday Thursday
She said that the factor that contributed the most in achieving positive results are the continuous information dissemination to the public and the constant reminder from the enforces.
She reminded that public that they will identify those areas that have history of indiscriminate firing to prevent untoward incident.
“We will deploy all alert teams to secure the region and to avoid indiscriminate firing here in Davao Region. We would like to remind the public that we (PRO XI) will be very active in patrolling and of course we ask their cooperation to report their neighbors if in case they will violate the city ordinance or you think your neighbor is planning to violate it, get your cellphones take a video and send it to us (PNP) with the details for us to apprehend the suspected individuals immediately,” Dela Cerna said.
She said that they will organize a rapid arresting team to respond to indiscriminate firing in case it will happen. PRO XI will also conduct hot pursuit operation, they will enter compounds and houses especially when proven that there are guns fired.
“I would like to remind the statement of our Chief of Philippine National Police (PNP) regarding the 11th commandment, thou shall not fire their guns indiscriminately as it may hit, kill and injure thy neighbor and the 12th commandment if thy neighbor fires his gun indiscriminately, thou shall make sure to take photos and videos to be reported to the PNP,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan has given his instructions to the Unit Commanders under the Jurisdiction of Police Regional Office XI (PRO XI) for the remaining days of holiday season.
“Our regional director has given his instructions already to the unit commanders, they are instructed to always stay vigilant, same with the military we in defensive mode. As the unilateral cease fire was declared tayo naman ay aayon sa pinag utos sa atin and we will abide with the rule of law,” she said.
She ensures the public that the police under PRO XI will be active in securing the its area of responsibility by being vigilant with the help of the Barangay Information Network (BIN) and other friendly forces and other government offices and agencies.
“Pag iigtingin po natin ang security up until pag pasok ng 2018 but not only yung pag pasok ng bagong taon, but of course for the coming year we will ake sure na wala nang mauulit, As much as possible wala ng mauulit na mga harassment incidents sa ating mga municipalities,” she said.
