P1.224-M worth of illegal firecrackers seized ahead of New Year revelry – PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has confiscated over P1.224 million in illegal firecrackers in its enforcement operations across the country as of Sunday, or three days before the New Year’s Eve revelry.

In a statement, the PNP said it has seized 79,953 pieces of illegal firecrackers valued at P1,224,909 as of 7 a.m. of December 28.

The illegal firecrackers were seized from public markets, roadside vendors, and checkpoints as part of the police force’s commitment to protect the public ahead of the New Year celebrations.

On Saturday, the PNP Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1 ) in Ilocos Region conducted a ceremonial destruction of 10,906 pieces of confiscated illegal firecrackers, pyrotechnic devices, and improvised cannons also known as “boga.”

The destruction is aimed at reducing firework-related injuries and reminding vendors and the public of the ban on dangerous firecrackers.

The confiscated items were first soaked with water provided by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), rendering these unusable and preventing accidental explosions.

“Hindi ito simpleng pagsira lang ng paputok. This is about saving lives. Ayaw nating may masaktan, mawalan ng daliri, o masawi dahil sa isang maling desisyon,” said PNP acting chief Lieutenant Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. 

(This is not just about destroying firecrackers. This is is about saving lives. We don’t want anyone injured or lose a finger, or to die because of a wrong decision.)

“Malinaw ang mensahe natin – walang lugar ang ilegal at mapanganib na paputok sa ating mga komunidad. We commend PRO 1 and the Pangasinan Police for their relentless efforts to protect the public, lalo na ngayong holiday season,” he added.

(Our message is clear – there is no place for illegal and dangerous firecrackers in our communities. We commend PRO 1 and the Pangasinan Police for their relentless efforts to protect the public, especially this holiday season.)

On Saturday night, the Pangasinan police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) conducted two buy-bust operations that led to the arrest of three suspects who sold illegal firecrackers such as “dark bombs,” kwitis, and a dynamite-type firecracker.

Across the country, local government units (LGUs) designated 765 firecracker zones (FC zones) with 1,655 personnel deployed to monitor them, alongside 741 community fireworks display areas (CFDAs) manned by 1,992 personnel – areas which will serve as safe and regulated spaces for the public to celebrate the New Year.

“As we approach New Year’s Eve, our focus is to keep communities safe so families can celebrate with peace of mind,” Nartatez said.

He added: “Gusto naming maramdaman ng publiko na may nagbabantay at handang tumulong habang sila ay nagdiriwang.”

(We want the public to feel that there is someone guarding them and ready to help them while they are celebrating.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News