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Sunday, December 28, 2003
Drunkenness and firecrackers don't mix
By Miko Santos
A TOP police official warned the public that drunkenness makes a person especially reckless when exploding firecrackers.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Ricardo de Leon made the observation as he reminded revelers that drinking and playing with firecrackers do not go together.
De Leon said many mature victims in the past were drunk when they were handling firecrackers.
"Some drunkards often mistake their cigarettes for the firecracker, throw the cigarettes on the ground, and continue to hold the firecracker in their hands."
De Leon reminded parents and guardians to discourage children from getting near lighted firecrackers and to stop them from picking from the street firecrackers that did not explode.
He said the practice of collecting unexploded firecrackers is risky.
De Leon warned that selling and playing with oversized firecrackers like the "Pla-pla," "Bawang," "Five Star," "Crying Cow," and other big pyrotechnics are prohibited.
He reminded the public to drink moderately and explode only authorized firecrackers and pyrotechnics to keep away from harm while welcoming the New Year Wednesday midnight.
He also asked the public to report through the police hotline 117 or the nearest police station anyone who fires his gun indiscriminately on New Year's Eve.
Meanwhile, in Quezon City, some P100,000 worth of firecrackers being sold at roadside stall exploded shattering a glass window of an adjacent shop.
No one reported hurt in the incident.
Probers said the blast occurred around 10:20 a.m. along Road 1 near Visayas Avenue.
Probers said that a witness told investigators he saw a man smoking a cigarette passed by the stall moment before the blast took place.
Another witness claimed the man threw the cigarette in the direction of the firecrackers causing the explosion.
However, they could not describe the possible culprit.
Stall owner Feliza Esbello claimed to have a permit to sell the goods. But arson probers said Esbello could not immediately produce documents allowing her to sell the firecrackers.
(December 28, 2003 issue)
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