Ahead of New Year revelry, nearly 10 arrested due to illegal firecrackers
TOO DANGEROUS Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. (right) shows the various kinds of prohibited firecrackers that are deemed “very hazardous” in a briefing on Dec. 8 following an inspection, together with Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando, of the stalls selling firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in Bocaue town. INQUIRER file photo / CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE
MANILA, Philippines – As the New Year’s celebration draws near, almost 10 people were arrested between Dec. 16 to 30 for illegal firecracker-related offenses, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the PNP, told Inquirer.net that nine people have so far been arrested for illegally possessing, using, or selling firecrackers.
Authorities have confiscated at least 27,829 firecrackers worth around P361,968, she added.
Republic Act 7183 states that manufacturers, distributors, and users of banned firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices may be imprisoned from six months to a year with a fine from P20,000 to P30,000 once caught.
In 2017, then-President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 28 to regulate firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
The directive also tasked the PNP to “promulgate criteria for what constitutes prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices…and provide specific lists of such devices as may be necessary for the guidance of the public, which will be disseminated to all concerned.”
READ: Duterte orders regulated, controlled use of firecrackers
Among the firecrackers prohibited by the PNP in 2021 were Watusi, Piccolo, Poppop, Five Star, Pla-Pla, Lolo Thunder, Giant Bawang, Giant Whistle Bomb, Atomic Bomb, Super Lolo, Atomic Triangle, Goodbye Bading, Large-size Judas Belt, Goodbye Philippines, Goodbye De Lima, Bin Laden, Hello Columbia, Goodbye Napoles, Mother Rockets, Coke-in-can, Super Yolanda, Pillbox, Boga, Kwiton and Kabasi.
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