Azurin orders police commanders to strictly enforce laws vs prohibited firecrackers
Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has ordered all chiefs of police and unit commanders to strictly enforce the existing laws against prohibited and regulated firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials.
In a statement, Azurin said there is a need to ensure that the rules and regulations are implemented to ensure public safety and prevent property damage, especially that firecracker-related injuries are common particularly after the New Year celebration.

"PNP Units are under instructions to strictly enforce RA 7183 An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture and Use of Firecrackers and other Pyrotechnique Devices, to ensure that the manufacturing, distribution and use of regulated and illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are at all times in check with the end in view of no or lesser damage to property and injuries to people," said Azurin.
Citing the guideline issued by the PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO), PNP chief information officer Col. Redrico Maranan said the following are considered banned firecrackers: piccolo, super lolo, atomic triangle, large judas belt, large bawang, pillbox, bosa, goodbye Philippines, bin laden, goodbye bading, goodbye covid, kwiton bomb, kwiton parachute, mother rocket, lolo thunder, coke in can, atomic bomb, five star, pla-pla, giant whistle bomb, kabasi, and watusi.

In the past years, illegal firecracker manufacturers would always introduce new firecrackers that are usually branded with catchy names like Bin Laden and Goodbye Covid.
Maranan said the FEO rule states that any firecracker with more than 0.2 grams is already considered prohibited.
On the other hand, the following are allowed to be used: butterfly, fountain, jumbo regular and special, luces, mabuhay, Roman Candle, sparklers, trompillo, whistle device, All kinds of pyrotechnic devices (pailaw).
The Republic Act 7183 and the Executive Order 28, meanwhile, stated that the following are regulated for sale and use: Baby Rocket, Bawang, El Diablo, Judas’ Belt, Paper Caps, Pulling of Strings, Sky Rocket (Kwitis), Small “Triangulo”, and other types of firecrackers that are not oversized, not overweight, and not imported.
Azurin also warned gun holders against using firearms especially during the New Year revelry following incidents in the past of stray bullet deaths and injuries.
"We are reminding all gun holders of their responsibility not to indiscriminately fire their guns while in revelry and merry making," said Azurin.
"The full might of the law will be applied to anyone who will fire a gun to celebrate the holidays, much more if the violator belongs to the uniformed services, dismissal from the government service shall be swift," he added.