We must congratulate the Department of Health and allied agencies for successfully reducing firecracker injuries to the lowest rate in 10 years.

However, compliance with the campaign of the authorities against the use of powerful firecrackers due to fear of reprisal from President Duterte is not at all edifying.

Imposed submission to law and order due to fear does not signify discipline.

Moreover, attributing compliance to fear demeans the Filipino’s innate character and capacity to observe law and order.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN