QCPD destroys P500K worth of illegal, dangerous firecrackers ahead of New Year

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Saturday destroyed hundreds of illegal and hazardous firecrackers as part of efforts to welcome the New Year safely.

The ceremonial destruction of the confiscated items was led by QCPD Director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III at their headquarters at Camp Karingal, according to a Super Radyo dzBB report by Mark Makalalad.

The confiscated firecrackers, including those that have no permits and were deemed dangerous, were estimated to be worth more than P500,000.

"Not all were illegal per se. The problem is, their vendors do not possess permits to sell. To protect the interest of the majority, we need to interdict those activities. We arrested those who do not comply by regulations for the safety and security of the public, and confiscated their items," Torre said.

The firecrackers were burned in a deep pit at Camp Caringal.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday asked the public to report to authorities those who violate the government’s rules on the proper use and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

Firecrackers with the following characteristics are prohibited:

• overweight (should not be more than 0.2 gram or not more than one third of teaspoon);
• oversized like super lolo, giant whistle bomb, among others;

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• fuse should not burn less than three seconds but not more than six seconds;
• imported finished products; and
• mixture of phosphorus or sulfur with that of chlorate.

Meanwhile, among the types of firecrackers that may be used in fireworks display areas are the following:

• baby rocket;
• bawang;
• el diablo;
• Judas’ belt;
• paper caps;
• pulling of strings;
• sky rocket (kwitis); and
• small “triangulo”.

—KG, GMA Integrated News