ADVERTISEMENT
Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP urges LGUs to set up centralized firecracker markets; one dead from stray bullet

PNP urges LGUs to set up centralized firecracker markets; one dead from stray bullet

Published Dec 26, 2025 11:45 am  |  Updated Dec 26, 2025 01:06 pm
(Photo courtesy of Philippine National Police)
(Photo courtesy of Philippine National Police)
(UPDATED)
The Philippine National Police ordered all police chiefs nationwide to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) on the possible establishment of designated centralized markets for firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials ahead of the New Year revelry as it recorded one fatality due to stray bullet.
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., acting PNP chief, said the move comes as firecracker-related injuries continue to rise days ahead of the New Year’s Day. The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded at least 28 cases from December 21 to 25. 
The PNP has a higher number with 47 cracker-related injuries from Dec. 16 to 26, and authorities expect the number to increase as celebrations peak.
The PNP has also recorded one fatality due to a stray bullet, and arrested 23 individuals due to illegal sale of firecrackers.
Nartatez said concentrating sales in specific areas will allow tighter monitoring of vendors and products which could minimize risks to the public.
“The main purpose is proper regulation and public safety. By designating a specific area in every town or city where people could buy firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials, we can easily monitor and prevent the selling of illegal firecrackers,” he said in a statement on Friday, Dec. 26.
Nartatez instructed police chiefs nationwide to work with LGUs in identifying safe locations and setting the allowable period for selling firecrackers.
Designated areas will have a visible police presence, in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), while firetrucks and emergency responders shall be placed on standby to immediately address any untoward incident, he noted.
Nartatez explained that centralized selling areas will also help curb the sale of illegal firecrackers.
“Centralized selling areas allow us to strictly inspect vendors and products. Mas madali naming matukoy kung alin ang legal at alin ang illegal na paputok. Kapag may designated firecracker zone, any sale outside that area will be considered unauthorized. Outside the zone, bawal,” he said.
Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño bared that the lone fatality was reported on Christmas Day.
"This occurred on December 25 around 1 a.m. in Tondo, Manila. The suspect was identified but at large, and a hot pursuit operation is now ongoing," he said.
At least 10 cases of indiscriminate firing were recorded by the PNP in the past 10 days, involving 10 suspects. However, only seven suspects were arrested while three others remain at large.
Of the seven arrested, four are members of the PNP: one is a Master Sergeant assigned in Caraga (Region 13), one a Senior Master Sergeant in Western Visayas (Region 6), and two are assigned at the PNP Maritime Group (MG). They were all placed under police custody and will be charged with indiscriminate discharge of firearms under Republic Act 11926.
The PNP urged the public to cooperate with authorities and observe safety guidelines to ensure a peaceful and injury-free New Year celebration.
Earlier, Nartatez also called on LGUs to set up designated firecracker zones to enhance public safety amid the rising use of firecrackers during the holiday season.

Related Tags

PNP centralized market firecracker New Year Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
ADVERTISEMENT
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1561_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1562_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1563_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}

{{ articles_filter_1564_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.mb-article-details { position: relative; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview, .mb-article-details .article-body-summary{ font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; font-family: "Libre Caslon Text", serif; color: #000; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview iframe , .mb-article-details .article-body-summary iframe{ width: 100%; margin: auto; } .read-more-background { background: linear-gradient(180deg, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0) 13.75%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0.8) 30.79%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000) 72.5%); position: absolute; height: 200px; width: 100%; bottom: 0; display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; padding: 0; } .read-more-background a{ color: #000; } .read-more-btn { padding: 17px 45px; font-family: Inter; font-weight: 700; font-size: 18px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border: 1px solid black; background-color: white; } .hidden { display: none; }
function initializeAllSwipers() { // Get all hidden inputs with cms_article_id document.querySelectorAll('[id^="cms_article_id_"]').forEach(function (input) { const cmsArticleId = input.value; const articleSelector = '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .body_images'; const swiperElement = document.querySelector(articleSelector); if (swiperElement && !swiperElement.classList.contains('swiper-initialized')) { new Swiper(articleSelector, { loop: true, pagination: false, navigation: { nextEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-next', prevEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-prev', }, }); } }); } setTimeout(initializeAllSwipers, 3000); const intersectionObserver = new IntersectionObserver( (entries) => { entries.forEach((entry) => { if (entry.isIntersecting) { const newUrl = entry.target.getAttribute("data-url"); if (newUrl) { history.pushState(null, null, newUrl); let article = entry.target; // Extract metadata const author = article.querySelector('.author-section').textContent.replace('By', '').trim(); const section = article.querySelector('.section-info ').textContent.replace(' ', ' '); const title = article.querySelector('.article-title h1').textContent; // Parse URL for Chartbeat path format const parsedUrl = new URL(newUrl, window.location.origin); const cleanUrl = parsedUrl.host + parsedUrl.pathname; // Update Chartbeat configuration if (typeof window._sf_async_config !== 'undefined') { window._sf_async_config.path = cleanUrl; window._sf_async_config.sections = section; window._sf_async_config.authors = author; } // Track virtual page view with Chartbeat if (typeof pSUPERFLY !== 'undefined' && typeof pSUPERFLY.virtualPage === 'function') { try { pSUPERFLY.virtualPage({ path: cleanUrl, title: title, sections: section, authors: author }); } catch (error) { console.error('ping error', error); } } // Optional: Update document title if (title && title !== document.title) { document.title = title; } } } }); }, { threshold: 0.1 } ); function showArticleBody(button) { const article = button.closest("article"); const summary = article.querySelector(".article-body-summary"); const body = article.querySelector(".article-body-preview"); const readMoreSection = article.querySelector(".read-more-background"); // Hide summary and read-more section summary.style.display = "none"; readMoreSection.style.display = "none"; // Show the full article body body.classList.remove("hidden"); } document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => { let loadCount = 0; // Track how many times articles are loaded const offset = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]; // Offset values const currentUrl = window.location.pathname.substring(1); let isLoading = false; // Prevent multiple calls if (!currentUrl) { console.log("Current URL is invalid."); return; } const sentinel = document.getElementById("load-more-sentinel"); if (!sentinel) { console.log("Sentinel element not found."); return; } function isSentinelVisible() { const rect = sentinel.getBoundingClientRect(); return ( rect.top < window.innerHeight && rect.bottom >= 0 ); } function onScroll() { if (isLoading) return; if (isSentinelVisible()) { if (loadCount >= offset.length) { console.log("Maximum load attempts reached."); window.removeEventListener("scroll", onScroll); return; } isLoading = true; const currentOffset = offset[loadCount]; window.loadMoreItems().then(() => { let article = document.querySelector('#widget_1690 > div:nth-last-of-type(2) article'); intersectionObserver.observe(article) loadCount++; }).catch(error => { console.error("Error loading more items:", error); }).finally(() => { isLoading = false; }); } } window.addEventListener("scroll", onScroll); });
Join Our Newsletters

Sign up by email to receive news.

© 2025 Manila Bulletin The Nation's Leading Newspaper. All Rights Reserved.