Catanduanes could have kept its streak of consecutive Yuletide celebrations with zero casualties of pyrotechnics or firecrackers had it not been for a resident of Virac who inflicted injury on himself with a mishandled baby rocket or “kwitis” just five minutes after midnight of Jan. 1, 2025.
The man from barangay Lanao allegedly launched the pyrotechnic device while holding it by his left hand, causing a scald burn.
He was treated at the emergency room of the Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC) two hours later and was sent home. The Virac police learned of the incident eight hours later in the morning of Jan. 2.
As a result, the Jan. 1 report of the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office issued at 7PM stated that there were no victims of incidents related to pyrotechnics or firecrackers.
Despite the lone incident, the local police confiscated a total of 108 improvised cannons or “boga” but none for illegal pyrotechnics or firecrackers.
Bato accounted for majority of “boga” seized with 38, followed by Virac with 20 while the rest came from other towns: Caramoran, 10; San Andres, 9; Pandan, 6; Bagamanoc, Panganiban and San Miguel, 5 each; Baras, 4; and Gigmoto and Viga, 3 each.
Still, the Tribune observed a number of kids and teeners using the improvised cannon in the capital town on New Year’s Eve.
Preventing injuries due to the use of illegal pyrotechnic devices and firecrackers should not be the sole responsibility of the police or the Bureau of Fire Protection but rather also the barangay officials and tanods as well as parents.
In a statement, PNP Provincial Director PCol. Edward D. Quijano thanked the public as well as its partner agencies, the BFP, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health, and local government units. for cooperating with the authorities for the peaceful and safe celebration of the New Year.
In the Bicol region, the DOH Center for Health Development (CHD) reported report said a total of 60 individuals were hurt in fireworks-related incidents in the six provinces from Dec. 21, 2024 to Jan. 4, 2025.
Camarines Sur led with 19, followed by Albay with 14, Camarines Norte with 11, Naga City and Legazpi City with 7 each, and Catanduanes with one.
Three-fourths of the incidents were attributed to the use of just three pyrotechnic devices: kwitis (18), five-star (14) and improvised cannon (13). Of those injured, six required admission to hospitals and 54 were outpatients.
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Last week, the Supreme Court emphasized that search warrants must clearly define the location to be searched; otherwise, they are invalid for violating the right against unlawful searches and seizures.
The decision of the Second Division acquitted a Quezon City resident of the crimes of illegal possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia under Republic Act No. (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, due to a defective search warrant and its irregular execution.
According to the ruling penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic MVF Leonen, the search warrant bearing the address “Informal Settler’s Compound, NIA Road, Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City” was too broad and essentially a general warrant prohibited by the Constitution.
“This lack of detail gave the PDEA agents unlimited power to search the entire compound,” the High Court said, adding that a valid search warrant should particularly describe the place to be searched to prevent enforcing officers from deciding on their own where to search and whom and what to seize.
The warrant should also be carried out properly, with the agents to first identify themselves and ask for permission to enter the place they want to search. The search should be done in the presence of the lawful occupants of the house, or in their absence, two residents in the same area.
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FORGETFULNESS. Two elderly ladies had been friends since their 30s. Now in their 80s, they still get together a couple of times a week to play cards. One day they were playing gin rummy and one of them said, “You know, we’ve been friends for many years and, please don’t get mad, but for the life of me, I can’t remember your name. Please tell me what it is.”
Her friend glared at her. She continued to glare and stare at her for at least three minutes. Finally, she said, “How soon do you need to know?”