PNP R1 director: Seize all banned firecracker

By January 2, 2018Headlines, News

ORDER OF THE DAY

P/CHIEF Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, police regional office 1 director, has ordered policemen in Pangasinan to go out in the field and “confiscate all banned fireworks and firecrackers!”

He gave the order Thursday in his talk to police officers and men of Dagupan City during his field inspection where he outlined his target for “zero incident on stray bullets and indiscriminate firing, and if possible zero firecracker injury”.

He directed the policemen to start confiscating the big sized firecrackers that need to be kept away from the public before these are sold and distributed to potential victims, especially children.

“What I hate most is indiscriminate firing especially by policemen,” Sapitula confessed, adding that policemen who violate this order will pay dearly for their indiscretion.

He stressed that the campaign must start with each individual policeman by controlling one’s self from giving in to the urge to fire his gun during the revelry.

At the same time, he announced there will no be taping of the nozzles of firearms of policemen this year and policemen will only be authorized to use them in case of emergency and to protect lives.

He warned that under the one-strike policy directed by chief PNP Ronald ‘Bat’o de la Rosa, a police chief will be relieved if there is any indiscriminate firing in his area during the New Year revelry.

Sapitula clarified the ‘one-strike policy’ does not apply in Tayug because the barangay councilman of Trenchera, Tayug, identified a as Raquily Bado was immediately arrested when he discharged his firearm, a Caliber 45 Armscor pistol, on Christmas eve.

He commended the policemen of Tayug for promptly arresting the barangay official.

“This is our biggest frustration. A few government officials are themselves violating the law instead of helping the policemen enforce the law,” Sapitula said.

“Indiscriminate firing is a no-no to me. I will make it sure that the erring policeman will go to the PNP Regional Office to experience what he has not experienced before and consequently dismissed from the service,” he intoned.

Sapituta said in densely populated areas like Dagupan, occurrence of firecracker injuries is expected but should be minimized if the banned firecrackers are seized before the New year’s eve revelry.

Asked what the police will do if residents of Barangay Pogo Grande here will insist on lighting big firecrackers at noon time on January 1 in observance of their yearly tradition, Sapitula said wryly, “It does not mean that all traditions are right.”

The law says it is unlawful to light banned firecrackers and this must be enforced whether someone is observing a tradition or not, he added.

He advised the people of Pogo Grande to designate a firecracker zone where they can explode firecrackers that are not banned per Executive Order No. 28 issued by President Duterte.

A report reaching The PUNCH said Pogo Grande residents will instead hold a mini-kalutan (grilling of milkfish in the street) instead of lighting firecrackers.

Sapitula said E.O. No. 28 will be implemented to the letter in Region 1.  (Leonardo Micua)

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