Divisoria vendors openly sell illegal firecrackers

People flock to Divisoria in Manila not just for fruits but also to buy firecrackers ahead of the New Year.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s report on 24 Oras on Monday, illegal firecrackers like piccolo and pla-pla are also being sold openly in the popular shopping hub.

One seller said piccolo remains in demand despite warnings from authorities.

“Wala tayong magagawa, sa hirap ng buhay kailangan kumayod,” he said.

(We can't do anything about it. With how hard life is, we need to hustle.)

Meanwhile, some vendors sell illegal firecrackers discreetly.

“Yung sa amin lang kasi yung pambata lang tapos meron din kasi mga kasama sa bahay,” a woman said after buying firecrackers secretly. She noted that the piccolo she bought will be lit by adults.

(In our case, we only got those for kids, and then there are also some for the others at home.)

The Manila Police District (MPD) said operations against illegal firecrackers are ongoing.

“Nagkaroon sila ng entrapment operation doon sa area, nakahuli sila ng isa diyan na nagbebenta ng ilegal na paputok,” MPD spokesperson Philipp Ines said.

(They conducted an entrapment operation in that area and caught one person selling illegal firecrackers.)

“Tapos kanina naman…may dalawa silang naaresto at officially siguro mga less than P100,000 amount mga ganun,” he added.

(Then earlier, they arrested two people, and officially, the confiscated items were worth maybe less than P100,000.)

On the other hand, some shoppers chose safer noise-making alternatives for the upcoming revelries, like buying horns instead.

“Para po mas safe,” one shopper said.

(So it will be safer.)— Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA Integrated News