Two trucks of illegal firecrackers seized

MANILA, Philippines - Two six-wheeler trucks loaded with illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics were seized in Malabon City Thursday.

Superintendent Reydante Ariza, Northern Police District special operations unit chief, said the two delivery trucks, owned by Cheng South Trading, were impounded.

Driver Bambito Morales, 31; and helpers Junmark Aguilar, 33, and Ravelo Mendoza, 46, were charged Friday before the office of Malabon City assistant prosecutor Quenie Uy. Another driver, identified only as Jumor, escaped.

Police Officer 2 Jonathan Perillo said yesterday that Vicente Cheng, owner of the Cheng South Trading, would also be charged.

The three were arrested when a patrol team chanced upon them as one of the trucks had a flat rear tire along M.H. del Pilar street at around 2:30 p.m. Perillo said boxes of piccolo, a banned firecracker, comprised most of the cargo.