CEBU CITY—Assorted firecrackers amounting to at least P200,000 were seized in different places in Central Visayas.
Police Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo, chief of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said the confiscation of the firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices in the month of December was in line with the implementation of the Republic Act 7183, a law that regulates the manufacture, sale, use and distribution of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics devices.
Montejo said no less than President Duterte ordered the strict regulation of firecrackers.
“Executive Order No. 20, Series of 2017 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte, which strictly regulates the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, still stands,” said Montejo.
The PRO-7 director said some of the seized firecrackers were imported products.
Among the seized firecrackers were judas belt, bawang, sparkles, lantaka, baby rocket, five star, super lolo, hotdog, whistle bomb, plapla, angry bird and shotgun.
“Some of the items were seized while being illegally sold while some were in transit when confiscated,” said Montejo.
The seized firecrackers were presented in a press briefing Thursday, and were later turned over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for proper disposition.
No arrests were made during the series of confiscations but those traders who will continue to violate the law will face stiffer penalties, Montejo warned.
“We will continue our operations against these firecrackers that are being illegally sold,” Montejo said.
Montejo said PRO-7 was happy to note that only one firecracker-related incident was recorded since Christmas Day.
The PRO 7 director advised the public that it would be better not to use firecrackers to greet the New Year.
He also encouraged local government units to craft an ordinance banning the use of firecrackers.
“We are hoping that there will be less firecrackers-related incidents for the coming New Year. Follow the advice of the government because this is for our own good,” Montejo said.