3 Chinese nationals nabbed for violating Davao City’s firecracker ban
m. on February 10 were Timothy Tan, Wang Su, and Thang Su.
According to DCPO’s and Talomo Police Station initial investigation, the Big Ben pyrotechnic devices were fired in the premises of Tan’s rented house apparently to celebrate Chinese New Year together with his two colleagues, disrupting the sleep of residents nearby, some of whom thought they were gunshots.
The city’s ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnics has been in force since 2001 although Ordinance 060-02 was passed only in 2002.[]
The ordinance prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices “or such other similar devices within the territory of Davao City,” not only during Christmas or New Year but in the celebration of the Chinese New Year and the Muslims’ Eid’l Fitr (end of Ramadan).
The ordinance penalizes first offenders with a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment of 20 to 30 days, or both; second offenders with a fine of P3,000 or imprisonment of from one to three months or both; and third offenders, a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of from three to six months, or both.[]
DCPO spokesperson Capt. Hazel Tuazon told MindaNews on Sunday morning that a case will be filed against the Chinese nationals. In Cebuano, she explained that the three were not caught in the act and they will await the judgment of the court to determine the appropriate fine or imprisonment for the Chinese violators. (Ian Carl Espinosa/MindaNews)
