The Philippine National Police (PNP) will intensify its crackdown against illegal and dangerous firecrackers ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, said this is in compliance with Executive Order 28 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017.

“PNP OIC (officer-in-charge), Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, has directed the Civil Security Group and Police Regional Offices, to launch early police operations to strictly enforce provisions of Executive Order No. 28 series of 2017 that provides for the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices,” Banac told reporters in a press briefing held at Camp Crame.

Banac added that the PNP enjoins local governments to implement similar measures in support of the campaign.

He noted that many lives and limbs have been lost as a result of reckless and indiscriminate use of dangerous firecrackers and it is high time for the public to rethink the value of this traditional practice and weigh it against personal safety, comfort, and public health.

“Despite the downward trend in firecracker-related incidents recorded over the past four years, the fact is, the practice of this traditional dangerous holiday revelry still persists,” Banac said.

From a high of 929 incidents recorded in January 2016, only 307 incidents were recorded in January 2019 which translates to a 66.95-percent decrease in the same period last year.

“We attribute this trend to public awareness, information and dissemination campaign, seminars, media appearances, interviews and proactive visitations in stores and communities by the police to remind the public,” the PNP spokesman stressed.

Prohibited firecrackers include piccolo, watusi, giant whistle bomb, giant bawang, large Judas belt, super lolo, lolo thunder, boga, goodbye Philippines, among others. (PNA)