4 fireworks online sellers nabbed

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines — Four alleged online sellers of pyrotechnic products were arrested in Morong, Bataan on Saturday.

The suspects, including three women, were monitored by authorities marketing their products through Facebook, according to a report received by Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr., Central Luzon police director.

Police conducted a sting, which resulted in the arrest of the suspects.

The report did not mention if the suspects, whose identities were not immediately available, were licensed fireworks dealers or retailers.

Police seized from the suspects pyrotechnic products with an estimated market value of P30,000.

The Central Luzon police has reminded fireworks enthusiasts that online selling of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, including those allowed by the government, is prohibited.

Charges of violation of Republic Act 7183, which regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices will be filed against the suspects.

Meanwhile, in Bulacan, an alleged illegal firecracker manufacturer was arrested in Bocaue.

The 39-year-old suspect was reportedly caught manufacturing firecrackers in Barangay Biñang 1st on Saturday afternoon, according to a report received by Col. Relly Arnedo, Bulacan police chief.

Seized from the suspect were materials used in manufacturing firecrackers, with an estimated value of P7,500.

Unexploded firecrackers

Firecrackers and other pyrotechnic products that failed to explode during the revelry should be doused with water to neutralize their chemicals and prevent accidents, according to a fireworks dealer.

“This is to prevent people from scavenging the chemicals and to use these after the holidays,” Jovenson Ong, president of the Philippine Fireworks Association, told The STAR yesterday.

Arnedo advised residents not to tinker with unexploded firecrackers and pyrotechnic products as these might trigger accidental explosion and cause injuries or death.

On alert

All public hospitals in Bulacan have been directed to prepare for a possible increase in firecracker-related injuries before and after the New Year revelry.

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando, along with Central Luzon health chief Corazon Flores, Bulacan Medical Center director Angelito Trinidad and provincial health office head Edwin Tecson inspected the emergency room and medical facilities of the BMC to determine if it is ready to treat patients injured during and after the celebration.

Trinidad told Fernando that aside from doctors and nurses on duty, the BMC has teams on call for deployment if the need arises.

Trinidad said that hospital supplies and equipment are complete, and ambulances are ready to respond to emergencies at all times.