P1.3 million illegal firecracker items seized

CEBU, Philippines —  Police in Central Visayas have so far confiscated P1.3 million worth of illegal firecrackers since Friday and have discovered an enterprising way these items are being sold—hidden in Christmas toys.

Among the confiscated prohibited firecrackers were 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, and Goodbye Philippines.

The campaign of the Police Regional Office-7 covers the entire region and seeks to prohibit the use of illegal firecrackers outside firecracker zones.

Already, PRO-7 authorities have conducted a series of field inspections that resulted in the confiscation of at least P1.3 million worth of firecrackers as of 6 a.m. Tuesday, December 31.

According to Police Brigadier General Ildebrande Usana, deputy director of PRO-7, most of the confiscations were from Cebu City, although there were also a few from Bohol, Cebu Province and Metro Cebu.

In Cebu City, some of the seized firecrackers were reportedly hidden in Christmas toys, according to Police Colonel Engelbert Soriano, director of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

But Usana said the mission is not finished yet as they are determined to continue the inspections today.

“Aside from that, alam naman natin na ang campaign against crimes, in particular yung illegal firecrackers… ay binibigyang pansin ng ating kapulisan,” he said. “Thus, we will continue our massive campaign through the different police units, especially in Metro Cebu, particularly in the firecrackers selling area.”

“We hope that we’ll be able to ensure that protected din ating mga mamamayan dito sa pagbebenta sa mga firecrackers, more or less ng ganitong bagay, lalo na’t inilulusot din nila ito somewhere at mabigynag tugon ng ating mamayan against such an act,” he added.

Usana further assured that the PNP personnel in Central Visayas will continue their surveillance and patrol to ensure that no untoward incident involving prohibited firecrackers will happen in the middle of the New Year celebrations.

As to the fate of the seized pyro products, Usana explained that they will dip them in water to make sure they will no longer be useful.

The destruction is set sometime after the New Year.

The ongoing confiscations are pursuant to Republic Act 7183 which regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

Those caught may possibly face six months to one year imprisonment and may have to a pay fine of at least P35,000.

Usana expects his men to seize more fireworks products with their continued monitoring and patrol operations in the coming days. JMD (FREEMAN)