Rama refuses to release confiscated firecrackers

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama rejected the request of firecracker and pyrotechnics dealer Brian Lim to release his almost P3 million-worth of products that were confiscated by the police and City Hall personnel.

Rama refused to give details of what transpired during his meeting with Lim’s representatives yesterday but said he referred the matter before the city legal office.

Joint operatives from the city police and the City Hall confiscated Lim’s products that were sold inside a mall for violation of the city government’s policy that bans the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics outside of the South Road Properties.

Lim’s stall was raided last week pursuant to the provisions of City Council Resolution 1394, which prohibits the sale, distribution and testing of firecrackers and pyrotechnics outside the designated firecracker zones.

Lim asked South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña’s intervention to recover his products. A resolution is already pending before the City Council seeking to amend the previous resolution by exempting those that are sold inside the malls.

“Ang sayop nahimo na unya abi kay amigo si Brian Lim sa mayor ipa-release ra nila ang mga nadakpan?” said Cleofe Maramara, who used to sell explosive products at Colon Street.

An existing ordinance provides that the display, sale and testing of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices shall be done only at the SRP between December and January and the violators will be slapped with a fine of P5,000 and a permit fee of more than P2,000. — THE FREEMAN