PNP to intensify seizure of illegal fireworks

MANILA, Philippines — Days before the New Year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Saturday that it will intensify its operation against illegal fireworks from retailers, manufacturers and dealers.

“People will not stop doing it. Hindi kami titigil sa pagconfiscate (We won’t stop confiscating it),” PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said during a press conference in Bocaue, Bulacan, which is traditionally known as the fireworks capital of the Philippines.

Gamboa also appealed to manufacturers and vendors to “not sell firecrackers and pyrotechnic display to minors.”

PNP also reminded the public on banned firecrackers like piccolo, watusi, giant whistle bomb, giant bawang, large judas belt, super lolo, lolo thunder, atomic bomb, atomic bomb triangulo, pillbox, boga, kwiton, goodbye earth, goodbye bading, hello Columbia, and, goodbye Philippines.

‘Steady profit’

For Jaime See Agustin Jr, a firecracker vendor in Bocaue since 2008, their profit from the fireworks business did not change amid the regulation of the use of fireworks under the Duterte administration.

“Wala namang nagbago (Nothing has changed),” he said.

Agustin said he is in favor of the President’s regulation as it would also lessen accidents during the celebration of New Year’s.

He also assured the public that they are sourcing their fireworks from legal manufacturers.

Police said 65 out 124 authorized firecrackers stores in Bulacan are based in Bocaue.