P1.5 million firecrackers destroyed

CEBU, Philippines —  At least P1.5 million worth of illegal firecrackers confiscated by the authorities in Central Visayas were destroyed yesterday to prevent from being recycled.

A ceremonial destruction was initially done at the Police Regional Office-7 quadrangle where all confiscated firecrackers were also presented to the media. During the ceremony, the firecrackers were soaked into a drum of water.

Deputy regional director Brigadier General Ildibrandi Usana said the destruction process will be completed with the help of a private company.

The illegal firecrackers seized by the authorities from December 26, 2019 until 6 a.m. yesterday include 14,947 pieces of Piccolo, 874 Super Lolo, 91 Lolo Thunder, 63 Big Brother, 399 Mother Rockets, 31 Boga, 108 Judas Belt, 392 Big Bawang, and at least 200 thousand firecrackers that were sold outside of the designated area and without permits.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) confiscated the most number of illegal firecrackers with at least 200 thousand or an estimated amount of P1 million.

Usana said that most confiscations were done in stores but no arrests were made.

“Yung confiscation of illegal firecrackers is one, but yung apprehension will be done by our police personnel as soon as all the papers will be submitted,” Usana explained why there were no violators arrested.

Usana noted that the sale of illegal firecrackers had dropped last year compared to that of 2018. He said this is an indication that the government’s campaign against illegal firecrackers is effective.  FPL (FREEMAN)