CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard Central-Eastern Visayas yesterday destroyed around P400,000 worth of firecrackers that were left unclaimed since it was confiscated last year.
Commodore Cecil Chen, commander of the PCG Central-Eastern Visayas, led the burning of the 1,920 reams of Piccolo inside the PCG compound in Pier 3 yesterday morning. The destruction was witnessed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
Chen said they seized the shipment in November last year while it was being loaded into a Tagbilaran City-bound vessel without the necessary permit to transport. The shipment was allegedly owned by a certain Lori Santos who was able to elude arrest.
Chen said the destruction of the firecrackers yesterday should serve as a warning to those who plan to transport firecrackers during the yuletide season without securing the necessary permit from the concerned government agency.
According to Chen, permits are necessary to transport firecrackers because there are precautions that need to be observed in handling the shipment. Chen said firecrackers are “fire hazard” cargo that may put the lives of the passengers in jeopardy.
Chen promises to do their best to ensure that illegal transport of firecrackers will not happen in Cebu.
Coast Guard Cebu Station chief Rolando Punzalan admitted that it is a great challenge for them to ensure that no smuggling of firecrackers to the neighboring provinces of Cebu is happening because they only have one explosive sniffing dog.
Rama commended the Central-Eastern Visayas detachment of the Coast Guard for showing such vigor in their campaign against the illegal transport of firecrackers.
The mayor said that with such dynamism, he is assured of passengers’ safety and security at sea.
Shipping regulations state that, prior approval from the Firearms and Explosive unit of the PNP is required before any transport of firecrackers should be allowed.
Shippers are also required to present business permit and to coordinate with the nearest CG station and with their respected shipping forwarders for proper cargo stowage inside the ship. – (FREEMAN)