QC cops seize P50k ‘illegal firecrackers’

‘BIG BANGS’ BUSTED The QCPD presents confiscated firecrackers to the media on Thursday. ALEXIS CORPUZ

IT’S just a drop in the big, explosive bucket—but still worth announcing.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Thursday said it had confiscated around P50,000-worth of firecrackers across the city since Dec. 21 and would cite their vendors for violation of Republic Act No. 7183 or the law regulating the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

QCPD director Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio said the confiscated merchandise included the dangerous Piccolo, Pop-pop, Judas Belt, Crying Cow, and Whistle Bomb, along with various types of “fountain” sparklers.

Their vendors face imprisonment of six months to 1 year, as well as a fine of P20,000 to P30,000, Tinio said.

The firecrackers will be destroyed in Rizal province by the QCPD in coordination with the Firearms and Explosive Division of the Philippine National Police, he added.

Since Dec. 20, the QCPD has recorded around 16 firecracker-related injuries, mostly caused by Piccolo, Tinio added.