Zamboanga City New Year celebration generally peaceful, injury free

By Teofilo P. Garcia, Jr

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) has recorded zero case both for stray bullet and firecracker-related incidents during the New Year celebration in this city.

Senior Supt. Angelito Casimiro, ZCPO director, made this announcement Friday citing “the New Year celebration was generally peaceful and injury free.”

Casimiro attributed such achievement to the intensified enforcement of City Ordinance 431 that bans the sale and use of firecracker and pyrotechnic products in this city.

City Ordinance 431 was enacted on September 30, 2014 as an urgent measure and took effect immediately in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

However, Casimiro said they have apprehended 10 people, including seven minors, who were caught violating the firecracker ban ordinance.

Casimiro said the three arrested adults were subject to inquest proceedings before the City Prosecutor’s Office while the minors “were turned over to their respective parents.”

He said they have confiscated firecrackers that include the following: five star; rockets (kwitis); piccolo; small rockets (small kwitis); sticks of seven colors.

He said they have also confiscated canons made of bamboo and tin cans also known as “lantaka,” and boga and PVC canon known as “Boga.”

“There were still people determined to violate the firecracker ban. Some of them were apprehended and spent their new year inside the (Police) station jail except for the minors,” he added.

The intensified enforcement of City Ordinance 431 was jointly implemented by the ZCPO and the local government through City Ordinance Enforcement Group.(PNA)
CTB/TPGJR/PJN