Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco (PPAB)

Navotas 1st district Rep. Toby Tiangco has called on Philippine National Police (PNP) to ramp up its efforts against the sale of illegal firecrackers, particularly those being sold online.

The administration lawmaker made the call ahead of the traditional New Year's Day revelry when firecrackers and fireworks are the stars of the show.

"Madiskarte na rin ang mga nagbebenta ng ilegal na paputok. Ang ilan, nagbebenta na rin online kaya dapat itong bantayan nang maigi ng ating kapulisan," Tiangco said.

(Sellers of illegal firecrackers have become street smart. Some of them are now selling their wares online, that's why our police must also keep an eye on this space.)

“Magtulungan po tayo. Sa pangunguna ng kapulisan at ng mga LGUs (local government units) hinihimok ko po ang lahat na sumama sa pagmonitor at pag-report ng mga gumagamit at nagbebenta ng mga iligal at ipinagbabawal na paputok,” he added.

(Let's cooperate. With the police and LGUs taking the lead, I urge everyone to help in the monitoring and reporting of those who use and sell illegal and prohibited firecrackers.)

The PNP has listed the following firecrackers as illegal:

• Piccolo

• Super Lolo

• Atomic Triangle

• Large Judas Belt

• Large Bawang

• Pillbox

• Bosa

• Goodbye Philippines

• Bin Laden

• Mother Rocket

• Lolo Thunder

• Coke In Can

• Atomic Bomb

• Five Star

• Pla-Pla

• Giant Whistle Bomb

• Goodbye Napoles

• Hello Columbia

• Goodbye De Lima

• Super Yolanda

• Kingkong

• Goodbye Bading

• Kabasi

• Hamas

• Watusi

According to the PNP, these firecrackers are illegal because they are usually overweight, containing more than 1/3 teaspoon or 0.2 grams of explosives. They also often lack proper markings, including the name and address of the manufacturer.