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The police reportedly confiscated from the suspects hundreds of boxes and rolls of firecrackers, which they immediately soaked in a container filled with water.
Since 2004, North Cotabato has banned the sale and use of firecrackers.
However, a member of the provincial board has expressed disgust over the alleged laxity of the local police in implementing the ordinance.
"Despite the ordinance, we still hear loud bang coming from firecrackers. Are they (policemen) really serious in implementing the law?" asked 2nd District Board Member Reynaldo Pagal.
"For us to succeed in applying the law, a strong public support is needed," said Mauricio
"Anybody can report to PNP if there are firecrackers being sold in their place so that immediately we can effect arrest and confiscate the goods. But if people would not cooperate, there would be problems in the implementation," he said.
He also urged village guards in the city to help the police in implementing the law.
He said that since they launched the campaign early December this year, they have already confiscated thousands of firecrackers from several peddlers.
Most of the peddlers arrested are residents of Davao del Sur, Cotabato City and other towns in North Cotabato. (MindaNews)
