President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, December 7, said that he is considering imposing a total ban on the use of firecrackers in the country next year to prevent injuries and deaths.

President Duterte said that he is thinking to ban all sorts of firecrackers just like in Davao City, where he was a mayor for almost 30 years.

“I was toying with the idea of making it just like Davao,” he said in a weekly public address. “Baka next December ibawal ko na ang putok because it is really a dangerous thing and for reasons of public safety and health.”

Firecrackers have caused countless number of deaths and injuries making them an issue of public interest, health and safety.

“I am putting you on a warning na baka by mid-year I will issue the necessary document banning, totally, totally banning paputok,” he said.

The President noted that in Davao City, Christmas and New Year are celebrated joyously by families, and the city does not have firecracker-related injuries or deaths because of the complete ban on firecracker use.

During his address, the Chief Executive also reminded gun owners—policemen, militarymen, and civilians, whether their firearms are licensed or not, to stop firing their guns during New Year’s Eve.

President Duterte warned those who indiscriminately fire their guns that they would face the consequences of their actions, adding they could be charged with homicide or even murder if someone died as a result.

“You know that if it hits the head of a person, it will kill him,” he said.

“Hindi mo masabi disgrasya. It is not accident, anak ng p***** i**, ka kasi bala ‘yan pagputok sabi ko, velocity going up, pati velocity going down, going up, going down, same velocity ‘pag tumama ‘yan ng… In the past mga bata.” PND