The Iloilo City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) destroyed immediately two improvised cannons, known locally as “boga,” that were confiscated from six persons of minor ages.
The juveniles are residents of Barangay Kasing-kasing, Molo District.
The "boga" or improvised cannons were seized evening on December 25, 2025.
They were taken by barangay councilmen and tanod (village watchmen) to the Molo Police Station.
The parents of the minors were also summoned by barangay officials.
“Grupo sila (magkakaibigan). Wala namang umamin kung (kanino) ang boga kaya dinala namin silang lahat,” said Cesar Jimoga-on, tanod commander of Barangay Kasing-kasing.
Police joined the CSWDO in a dialogue with parents for guidance.
“Nag-warning na kami sa kanila na huwag nila dapat pabayaaan ang kanilang mga anak na magpaputok ng boga kasi baka madisgrasya at makapaminsala sa iba,” according to Captain Ryan Christ Inot, chief of Molo Philippine National Police (PNP).
The minors were allowed to go home, except for one who was taken temporarily into police custody while waiting for his birth certificate to prove he is indeed 17 years old.
While the minors were sent home, they are required to render community service.
However, the mother of one of the juveniles defended her 15-year-old son, citing he does not play “boga.” It was found out that the minor without birth certificate is her nephew.
Further, she accused the tanod commander’s own son to be the one fond of setting the said improvised noisemaker.
“Hindi iyan totoo. Ang naglalaro ng boga, hindi nga nila doon dinala sa police station. Ang dinala nila na mga bata, walang kinalaman doon,” Hacen, the mother, pointed out.
The tanod commander did not deny the accusation. But he defended by citing that his son already faced the barangay chairman and vowed not to repeat the illegal act. He stood by account of witnesses that all six minors taken to the police were playing with boga.
“Sa harap mismo ni Kap, dinisiplina ko. Warning na hindi na dapat siya umulit,” Jimoga-on said.
