The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, that it has confiscated more than 520,000 pieces of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices as part of efforts to ensure public safety and reduce cracker-related injuries this holiday season.
PNP spokesperson Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the seized illegal items have a total amount of P2.4 million.
“As of [Dec. 30], the total number of seized illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices has already reached over 520,000 pieces amounting to P2.4 million. This includes the items that were confiscated from online sellers,” Fajardo said.
Among those confiscated were picolo, giant five star, and pla-pla.
Nineteen individuals who were allegedly selling illegal firecrackers online were also arrested by the police, including two minors, she bared.
Meanwhile, the PNP said it has not monitored any security threat related to the celebration of the upcoming New Year.
“So far, we have not monitored any serious threat that might disrupt our New Year’s celebration but we will not be complacent,” Fajardo said.
The PNP also recorded 80 individuals who got injured due to "boga" or improvised PVC canon.
"What's sad about it is that most of the victims are minors. So far, we have confiscated around 7,000 boga. We appeal to the parents to guide their children, you might be thinking the use of boga is harmless but it's not. There are instances where the victims got hit in the face by the boga due to the impact of the explosion, their face got burned, and others sustained various injuries in their hands and body," Fajardo said.
The PNP earlier reported that it has also logged 15 cases of indiscriminate firing: six in Calabarzon (Region 4A), four in National Capital Region (NCR), two in Central Visayas (Region 7), and one each in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), and Davao (Region 11).
Among the 10 suspects arrested for indiscriminate firing, one is a police corporal who fired his gun during a heated argument.
“He’s assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) but he’s serving his suspension because he is facing a case for conduct unbecoming of a police officer. It turns out he was drunk when the incident occurred. He went amuck and fired his gun to the ground,” Fajardo said.
“We recovered his caliber 9 mm firearm. Aside from a case of indiscriminate firing, we will also charge him for violation of Republic Act 10591 for illegal possession of firearms,” she added.
PNP chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil opted to skip anew the traditional sealing of the muzzles of the service firearms of police personnel during the Yuletide season, believing that the cops are responsible enough not to use their guns during the celebration lest they risk being booted out of the police organization.
“The PNP Chief strictly directed all the cops to refrain from using their firearms in the celebration of the New Year. They should focus their attention on performing their task to ensure public safety and order. We expect the field commanders to supervise their personnel about this,” Fajardo said.
The PNP also alerted its personnel to be on the lookout for violent incidents that may emerge during drinking sessions.
“We cannot avoid having drinking sessions during this kind of festivities and celebratory events which may result to misunderstanding and violent incidents. That is why the PNP leadership reminds our personnel to be on guard and conduct patrols in the communities together with the barangay tanods (village watchmen),” Fajardo said.