The Department of Health (DOH) announced that it has so far logged 43 total cases of firecracker-related injuries this week after 18 new cases were reported on Christmas Day.
Sixty two “Sentinel Sites” monitored by DOH showed that 34 of the cases involved individuals aged 19 years old or younger, and 39 of the victims were male while only 4 were female.
Furthermore, the DOH said its monitoring operations showed that 86 percent (37 of victims) of the cases were caused by illegal firecrackers.
The agency pointed out that a homemade PVC “cannon”, colloquially called “Boga,” which uses kerosine or calcium carbide (kalburo) to make a loud explosive noise, was a leading cause of injuries.
The DOH reiterated its appeal to the public to avoid using firecrackers and report to the authorities persons selling or using illegal fireworks.
It also warned the public against picking up discarded firecrackers, storing toxic materials such as gunpowder and small firecrackers such as “watusi” [dancing firecrackers], which can be deadly when swallowed by children.
The health department said it promotes alternative noisemakers like party horns, cooking pans, or karaoke sessions with friends and relatives.
The DOH also urged the public to instead simply watch fireworks displays conducted by city and municipal governments in safe areas.
Earlier this week, The Philippine National Police (PNP) reminded the general public not to light firecrackers in all residential areas when welcoming the New Year.
“I hope our citizens will cooperate for the safety of all. There are designated community zones, and you will see beautiful lights there,” PNP spokesperson and Public Information Office chief Brigadier General Jean Fajardo earlier said.
Fajardo said the PNP will deploy police officers, especially on New Year’s Eve, as force multipliers to barangay personnel to ensure that no one sets off fireworks and firecrackers in residential areas to prevent untoward incidents.
As this developed, operatives of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) arrested three persons engaged in online selling of banned firecrackers in a series of operations in Metro Manila and Tarlac.
In a statement, ACG public information officer Police Lt. Wallen Arancillo said two suspects alias “Mark” and “Mike” yielded assorted illegal firecrackers worth P6,900 when they were arrested during entrapment operation in Santa Cruz, Manila on Christmas Eve.
Arancillo said the other suspect alias “Juan” was arrested during entrapment operation in San Rafael, Tarlac City.
The suspect yielded P5,500 worth of firecrackers that he was peddling online.
Arancillo noted that the suspects will be facing charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 7183 also known as Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Pyrotechnic Devices in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175, otherwise known as Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“The PNP-ACG is reminding everyone that selling illegal firecrackers online is prohibited. We should remember that this has corresponding fines and imprisonment. If you know someone selling [illegal] firecrackers online, don’t hesitate to report them to PNP-ACG for immediate action,” he said in Filipino.
