PNP destroys seized illegal firecrackers in Bocaue, Bulacan

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday destroyed confiscated illegal firecrackers in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The condemnation of seized firecrackers was done during the inspection of PNP officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gambo at pyrotechnics and firecracker establishments in Bocaue, according to a report by GMA News' JP Soriano on Balitanghali Weekend.

The seized items include dangerous firecrackers such as piccolo, Goodbye Philippines, Bin Laden, among others.

PNP OIC Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa
inspects firecracker stores in Bocaue. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/9CBMAHA8l0

— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) December 28, 2019

The illegal firecrackers were dipped in a drum of water.

The items were recovered from so-called "fly-by-night" or illegal firecrackers factories in Bulacan, which were raided by the PNP in the past days.

Apart from illegal firecrackers, authorities also confiscated those being sold by unauthorized dealers.

Gamboa apprehended some establishments because they do not have original copies of their business licenses on hand, though he also saw that authorized dealers do not sell illegal firecrackers.

According to the PNP, there are 124 licensed dealers of firecrackers and 24 licensed manufacturers in Bulacan.

Gamboa said authorities will continue to raid illegal manufacturers and dealers of firecrackers.

"People will not stop doing it but we will also not stop confiscating so sometimes you have to balance these things. Dito kami sa mabibigat kasi ito 'yung dealers who we expect should obey the law," Gamboa said.

The PNP, he said, is focusing more on ensuring the compliance of licensed manufacturers on the guidelines set by law.

"Ang sinasabi kasi ng batas is dapat not more than 0.2 grams or 1/3 teaspoon 'yung composition ng powder. Dapat 'di siya puputok ng less than three seconds but not more than six," Gamboa said.

Earlier in the day, Gamboa issued a statement reminding manufacturers and sellers of firecrackers "to strictly follow not to sell firecracker and pyrotechnic display to minors or those below 18 years of age."

He also said the PNP is beefing up security in identified firecrackers and pyrotechnic zones and areas firecracker/pyrotechnic displays.

Gamboa said the prohibited firecrackers are:

• piccolo
• watusi
• giant whistle bomb
• giant bawang
• large Judas belt
• super lolo
• lolo thunder
• atomic bomb
• atomic bomb triangulo
• pillbox
• boga
• kwiton
• goodbye earth
• goodbye bading
• hello columbia
• goodbye Philippines 

"The PNP is strictly implementing the Executive Order No. 28 of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to all the manufacturers and sellers of fireworks products in Bulacan. EO 28 confines the use of firecrackers to 'community fireworks display,'" Gamboa said.

Those caught manufacturing, selling, distributing, or using such illegal firecrackers may be fined P20,000 to P30,000, imprisoned for six months to one year, have the license and business permit canceled, and inventory stocks confiscated, he said.

The PNP OIC also urged the public to report any untoward incident or crime situation to the police via the nationwide emergency hotline 911 or through the PNP Facebook account. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News