Illegal firecrackers seized and destroyed in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay—The Philippine National Police in Albay seized and destroyed an unspecified number of assorted illegal firecrackers in simultaneous crackdowns on firecracker vendors in the cities of Legazpi and Tabaco and the towns of Guinobatan and Polangui on Saturday.

Gov. Joey Salceda. FILE PHOTO

Gov. Joey Salceda ordered the confiscation of firecrackers to lessen injuries caused by the illegal firecrackers such as “Piccolo”, “Atomic Big Trianggulo”, “Super Lolo,” “Watusi,” “Super Thunder,” “Goodbye Philippines” and “Pop-Pop.”

With the confiscation of these illegal firecrackers, the safe celebration of New Year in Albay has been assured, the governor said.

Senior Supt. Marlo Meneses, director of the Albay Police, led the disposal of the confiscated firecrackers.

“We soaked into buckets of water all the confiscated firecrackers right in front of where the sellers were to avoid doubt that it will be recycled,” Meneses said.

Meneses said the Firearms, Explosives, Security Agencies and Guard Supervision agency of the PNP would initiate the filing of criminal charges against the vendors of the seized illegal firecrackers.

The crackdown on illegal firecracker formed part of the operation of the PNP’s Task Force “Iwas Oplan Paputok,” he said.

The seized firecrackers were estimated to cost between P20,000 and P25,000.