Complaints filed against 3 Chinese nationals for using firecrackers

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews)—Complaints have been filed against three Chinese nationals on Tuesday before the Office of the City Prosecutor for violating the 21-year-old ordinance of Davao City banning the use of firecrackers during the celebration of Chinese New Year at the Royal Pines Subdivision here at 12:06 a.m. on Saturday, a local police official said.

Capt. Hazel Tuazon, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said that a complaint has been filed for violation of City Ordinance 060-02 in relation to Republic Act 7183, regulating and controlling the manufacture, sale, and distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, and in addition, complaints for alarms and scandals and disobedience to an agent of person in authority under the Revised Penal Code.

She said suspects were identified as Timothy Tan and Thang Su, both residents of the subdivision, and Wang Su, a resident of

Maco, Davao de Oro, who lighted “Big Ben” firecrackers near the subdivision’s gate 2, which caused “fear, discomfort and disturbances” to their neighbors.

When authorities arrived at the scene, the fireworks display was already over while the Chinese nationals, who were inside the house, refused to face the responding police, Tuazon said.

The firecracker ordinance was passed on October 15, 2002, but former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who was then mayor, prohibited the “manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devises” in 2001 through an executive order.

The local ordinance, meanwhile, prohibits the “manufacture, sale, distribution, possession or use of the firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the exploding of firecrackers or other similar explosives in furtherance of public safety, peace, order and security of the community.”

The local measure imposes a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment of 20 to 30 days, or both for first-time offenders; a fine of P3,000 or imprisonment of from one month to three months, or both, for second-time offenders; and a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of from three to six months, or both, for third-time offenders. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)