THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) is set to file a charge against a resident of Sasa after a minor was caught on social media lighting prohibited firecrackers on New Year’s Day, defying the city’s long-standing total ban.
In a statement issued on Friday, Jan. 2, Col Mannan Caracas Muarip, acting DCPO director, said police investigated the incident in Km. 11, Sasa, after a video circulated on social media.
While the minor involved has been rescued and turned over to the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) for intervention, Muarip emphasized that the legal hammer will fall on the adults involved.
“The DCPO stresses that primary responsibility and legal accountability rest on the adult who owned, possessed, or stored the firecrackers,” Muarip said.
Under City Ordinance No. 060-02 (The Firecracker Ban), the mere possession and storage of these items are strictly prohibited, regardless of who lights them.
The DCPO has adopted a “no mercy” policy for the 2026 New Year celebrations, meaning no exemptions or warnings will be given to violators.
“Let this serve as a clear reminder: adults who allow minors access to these dangerous materials will be held liable under the law,” Muarip added.
Davao City has maintained a zero-firecracker policy for over two decades to prevent injuries and fires.
Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash
