49 firecrackers ban violators sued

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) formally sued yesterday 49 adults for violating City Ordinance No. 060-02 banning the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in any occasion including the recent New Year revelry.
Sr. Supt. Ronald de la Rosa, DCPO director, said the police have to show its resolve to fully implement the ordinance which has spared plenty of lives and limbs for the past 10 years since its implementation in 2002.
The city ordinance imposes first offenders with a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment of 20 to 30 days, or both; second offenders with a fine of P3,000 or imprisonment of from one to three months or both; and third offenders, a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of from three to six months, or both.
He said a total of 106 persons most of them minors were caught violating the ban since the police tightened the noose against the use of firecrackers as early as 5:00 pm in December 31 with the deployment of 1,000 cops in civilian attire in violation-prone areas.
“There were 49 adults and 57 minors apprehended as of 5:00 pm on January 1, 2013,” de la Rosa said.
He said arrested adult violators are currently detained in various police precincts in the areas where the violations were made.
De la Rosa said juvenile violators were handed over to their respective parents after they were given counselling by the Women and Children’s Desk of the police while minors who had to guardians were turned over to the quick response team of the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
He also bared a zero firecracker-related-injury based on the actual check on the records of all hospitals and health centers  in the city.
Earlier, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio warned that violators of the firecracker ban will be dealt with accordingly.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao passed the proposed law on October 15, 2002 making illegal the manufacture, sale, distribution possession or use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices and such other devices and the exploding of firecrackers or other similar explosives within the territorial control of Davao City.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte approved it into law on November 6, 2002 to ensure the safety of city residents. [PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines]