Cops on alert vs. sale of firecrackers

As the Christmas and New Year holidays draw near, the police in different part of the country have gone on alert against the sale of illegal firecrackers. In Bacolod City, the police have released a list of firecrackers allowed for sale, a report of the Visayan Daily Star said.   Only baby rockets, small triangulos, pulling strings, bawang, paper caps, kwitis, sparklers, luces, fountain, roman candles, Airwolf and whistle devices are to be sold in designated firecracker zones. The report said the law prohibits the sale of atomic bug triangulos, super lolo, Picholos, watusis and other firecrackers that could endanger lives. FESAGS head Chief Inspector Noel Polines said  those who wish to sell pyrotechnics at the designated area should secure an application form from the Treasurer’s office at the Government Center, police clearance, and mayor’s permit. The city police’s Firearms Explosives Security and Guards Section cited Republic Act 7183, which allows the sale of certain fireworks in designated zones.   The vacant lot beside the Bacolod City Government Center was designated as the firecracker zone, the report said.   Makati City Meanwhile, in Makati City police have started monitoring neighborhoods for those who would sell the items, radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported.   Police have instructions to keep watch against hardheaded vendors who may try to secretly sell fireworks, the report added.   Health authorities are discouraging Filipinos from celebrating the holidays by lighting firecrackers, citing the risks firecrackers pose to health.   The Department of Health earlier proposed firecracker zones where fireworks can be safely lighted. - VVP, GMA News