Cops destroy seized firecrackers in Cebu, Cavite

ILLEGAL ’CRACKERS Policemen in Cavite province douse a pile of banned firecrackers with water to render them useless. —PHOTO COURTESY OF CAVITE PNP

Police on Thursday destroyed more than P1.2 million worth of firecrackers seized from illegal vendors in Cebu and Cavite provinces before New Year’s eve.

In Cebu City, Police Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana, deputy director for administration of the Central Visayas police, said the seized items, worth more than P1 million, were confiscated as these were not sold in designated firecracker zones in the city and were not covered with permits.

In Cavite, police destroyed more than P270,000 worth of banned firecrackers, including piccolo and Judas’ belt, seized in operations in the province starting Dec. 26.

The Department of Health said Cavite registered the most number of firecracker-related injuries in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region this year with 34 cases.

The firecrackers and pyrotechnic products, including items not covered by a government ban, seized in Cebu and Cavite were soaked in water to render them useless. —REPORTS FROM NESTLE SEMILLA AND MARICAR CINCO