CAMP JUAN, Ilocos Norte – Police have seized “boga” and other illegal firecrackers in this province to ensure the safety of the people on New Year’s Eve.
This is also in line with Provincial Ordinance 052-2023 or the anti-boga ordinance signed last Oct. 24 by Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc.
POLICE present 'boga' seized in Ilocos Norte.
The ordinance bans possession, use, manufacture, and sale of boga and regulates the sale and possession of denatured alcohol, acetone, and its derivatives, and electronic gas stove switches as well as similar devices to minors.
Boga is an improvised cannon made out of polyvinyl chloride pipes that can induce loud explosions.
Police Col. Julius Suriben, Ilocos Norte police director, helped draft the ordinance and requested approval to prevent the occurrence of firecracker-related injuries in the province.
Suriben said they have confiscated 181 bogas as of 11 a.m. on December 31 since their operation against the noisemaker started on November 18.
He added that they have conducted five entrapment and inspection operations against illegal firecrackers that resulted in the arrest of one person and confiscation and surrender of illegal firecrackers such as Kwitis, Mother Cow, Judas Belt, and Bawang valued at P50,790.
“Our relentless effort in the campaign against boga and illegal firecrackers is continuing to anticipate the occurrence of firecracker-related injuries in the observance of the New Year’s Eve in Ilocos Norte,” Suriben said.