Cops to revelers: Don’t throw firecrackers at passersby

The police reminded New Yea's Day revelers to refrain from throwing firecrackers at passersby and passing motorists. The Philippine National Police (PNP) also reminded the public on Monday that heavy penalties await those who cause injury or death by throwing firecrackers at motorists and passersby. “Dapat maging masaya ang lahat. Huwag abalahin ang motorista at huwag hagisan ng paputok. Yan ay nakakagulat, baka may sakit sa puso o hypertension," PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said in an interview on dzXL radio. (Remember that in the New Year, everyone should be happy. Don’t startle passersby, especially motorists, by throwing firecrackers into passing vehicles. If the motorist has hypertension or a heart ailment, it may lead to tragic consequences.) Cruz also reminded the public to buy only approved firecrackers. He said police will be on the lookout for illegal firecrackers. “May P20,000 to P30,000 na penalty and hanggang isang taon sa kulungan (Violators face a penalty of P20,000 to P30,000 and up to one year in jail)," he said. Republic Act 7183 penalizes any person who manufactures, sells, distributes or uses firecrackers and other illegal pyrotechnic devices. Under Section 11 of the law, violators face a fine of P20,000 to P30,000 or imprisonment of six months to one year or both, at the discretion of the court. Vendors caught violating the law will have their licenses and business permits cancelled and their stocks confiscated. – VVP, GMANews.TV