THE Police Regional Office ordered the Cordova police to determine the criminal and civil liabilities of the owner of the firecrackers that were used on the eve of the fiesta in barangay San Miguel, Cordova town last Monday evening.
“Whether it is small or big, so long as you stage a fireworks display, you must comply with requirements,” said Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of staff of the PRO-7’s directorate.
Juliet Wahing, a former resident of barangay San Miguel who now lives in Babag 2, Lapu-Lapu City, sold the firecrackers that were used for the fiesta celebration.
One of these firecrackers hit eight-year-old Sam Alia Monteron, exploding on his stomach and killing him.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is the lead agency in regulating the use of fireworks.
SPO2 Glen Facturan of the Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section (FESSAGS) said they are still waiting for the report from the Cordova police precinct on the accident.
“The operator and the shooter (the one who lights the fireworks) should have licenses and attended a seminar as one of the requirements for the application of the fireworks display activity. They also have to pay P3,000 in Camp Crame for the issuance of the permit,” he said.
Lawas said payment of the fee for fireworks display at Camp Crame went up to P3,000 from P1,000.
The permit has to be to photocopied and copies should be given to the local police and fire stations.
He said police personnel, firefighters and a fire truck should be on standby in case of accidents.
Since the applications are coursed through Camp Crame in Manila, Lawas said the PRO-7 doesn’t know if the organizers secured a permit for their activity.
Lawas said they will issue a directive to all police precincts to monitor sellers of pyrotechnics and organizers of fireworks displays.
“Sad to say this incident is a wake-up call,” he said.
Facturan said fireworks manufacturers are renewing their licenses at a fireworks manufacturing center in Lapu-Lapu City as the Christmas and New Year holidays draw near.