LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) is implementing heightened security measures to ensure public safety during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities.
According to PCOL Frederick Obar, provincial director of INPPO, they have already deployed police personnel to churches, roads, malls, public transportation terminals, and other areas of convergence to ensure public security.
Obar added that the INPPO will further strengthen their presence at the barangay level to avoid and prevent mauling incidents and other crimes.
INPPO is also coordinating with barangay tanods to help them respond in case of emergencies.
The police have also established checkpoints around the province to deter criminals and ensure the strict implementation of traffic laws.
Obar further reminded the public not to drive after drinking alcohol to avoid accidents.
“What we are looking at here is not only crime but also public safety issues, including traffic incidents. We know that during this holiday season, people attend a lot of parties, and usually, drinking alcohol is part of these. So we are appealing to the public to not drive while under the influence of alcohol,” he said.
To welcome the new year, the police chief also encouraged the public to use alternative noise makers and reiterated that using firearms as noisemakers is prohibited to avoid injury by stray bullets.
“It is strictly prohibited to use guns as fireworks. We already make a lot of alternative methods; legal firecrackers are even okay, but to be more environmentally friendly, let’s just use our saucepans instead or other alternative noisemakers,” he added.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently released a list of prohibited fireworks based on Executive Order No. 28 and Republic Act 7183, including watusi, piccolo, poppop, five star, pla-pla, lolo thunder, giant bawang, giant whistle bomb, atomic bomb, and atomic triangle.
Also included in the list are fireworks like large-size Judas belt, Goodbye Delima, Hello Columbia, Goodbye Napoles, Super Yolanda, Mother Rockets, Kwiton, Super Lolo, Goodbye Bading, Goodbye Philippines, Bin Laden, Coke-in-Can, Pillbox, Kabasi, Special, Kingkong, Tuna, and Goodbye Chismosa.
According to the PNP-Civil Security Group (PNP-CSG), firecrackers with more than 0.2 grams or more than 1/3 teaspoon of explosive content are strictly prohibited from being produced and sold in the Philippine market.
The police hope that by strictly following these laws and regulations, public safety and order will be ensured this coming Christmas and New Year celebration. (AMB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)
