Explanation demanded on failure to stop sale of illegal firecrackers

Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Gayotin yesterday told reporters in a press conference that a memorandum was already issued to all police station chiefs for an explanation on their alleged failure to submit a report relative to his directive before Christmas on the prohibited sale of illegal firecrackers in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Gayotin said that of the 11 police stations in the city, only Station 10 or the Punta Princesa Police Station was able to respond to his directive. The said station was able to do its job of apprehending the selling of illegal firecrackers along the streets of Salvador, Labangon last Christmas.

He said that the memorandum serves to remind police stations for the second time to do their job. He also wants an explanation for the alleged failure of the other 10 police stations to submit reports on his directive.

In connection with this, he also ordered all the police station chiefs to conduct monitoring on the selling of firecrackers at the sidewalk and arrest those who are selling firecrackers who could not present permit. "Ang pagbaligya og pabuto dili ilegal basta legal ang ilang baligya. Ang gidili sama anang super lolo, mini dynamite ug uban pang dagkong pabuto," Gayotin said.

He also urged barangay captains to identify a designated firecracker zone and report to them persons selling illegal firecrackers, particularly those imported ones, through text hotline 09214931616 so they could respond immediately.

Meanwhile, the Vice Control Section led by S/Insp. George Ylanan in a joint operation with the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch, conducted a buy-bust operation on illegal firecrackers at the corners of Plaridel and Lincoln Streets yesterday at around 2 p.m.

The operatives were able to seize more than 40 boxes of assorted imported firecrackers made in China with estimated worth of over P50,000.

Based on the report over radio station dyHP, the operatives conducted a buy-bust operation at All Seasons Marketing, reportedly owned by one Susan Tan, using a police poseur buyer.

The poseur buyer introduced himself as customer and purchased 20 cartons of firecrackers. Then asked the owner if she has permit for sale of said items. After the failure of Tan to present the needed permit, the operatives moved to apprehend her. It was found out that the items were imported.

Forty-four boxes of assorted firecrackers were reportedly seized by the VCS estimated to be over P30,000. CIIB also seized assorted firecrackers estimated to be worth P20,000.

The said firecrackers will be turned over to S/Supt. Lyndon Lawas, head of the Firearms Explosives Security Agency and Guard Supervision for proper disposition.

Ylanan yesterday told The FREEMAN that they "conducted the operation based on the memorandum issued by Lawas" and that they would do it on a "daily basis until they would be able to stop the illegal selling of imported pyrotechnic explosives."

Ylanan clarified that the selling of imported firecrackers is prohibited in the country based on R.A. 7183, otherwise known as Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and other Pyrotechnic Devices and the Sale of all Imported Firecrackers and Pyrotechnic anywhere in the country. - Norvie S. Misa