Illegal firecrackers like bombs —PNP

Bomb experts of the Philippine National Police have compared the destructive power of huge illegal firecrackers to that of bombs, Emil Sumangil reported on GMA News' "24 Oras."

Members of the PNP Explosive and Ordnance Division on Wednesday tested three illegal firecrackers namely Goodbye Colombia, Goodbye Philippines and the AlDub.

“Maari po ito siyempre makamatay ng tao. Maka-destruct ng properties, halimbawa sasakyan, mga crystal, at kung confined pa 'yung area sa loob ng bahay maari po mawasak ang bahay ninyo,” said Senior Superintendent Hector Maestral of the PNP-EOD.

“Dapat isaalang-alang lagi ang buhay dahil ang pagsalubong ng bagong taon ay dapat masaya, maligaya at may tinatawag na spirit of the New Year,” SPO1 Oliver Salamero added.

Goodbye Colombia, which was compared to an earlier firecracker Super Lolo, is a triangle almost the size of a fan and packs the most power among the three, according to the police.

A whole dressed chicken and a water melon were placed on top of the firecracker when the bomb experts tested it in Camp Crame's parade grounds. A piece of chicken was stuck on a tree while others reached the adjacent parking lot.

On the other hand, the explosion generated by Goodbye Philippines was enough to shake the grandstand.

A whole dressed chicken was also placed on top of the high-powered firecracker AlDub, which was almost the size of a water pitcher.

After AlDub exploded, pieces of raw chicken were seen as far out as 40 meters from ground zero. The explosion also created a small crater on the ground.

The firecracker AlDub is named after the phenomenal love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza but the TV and movie love team's handlers in the noontime show Eat Bulaga doesn't have any role in the production. —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News