Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Saturday, Dec. 27, said the local government and authorities will arrest all sellers of illegal firecrackers in the city ahead of New Year’s Day.

On Friday, Dec. 26, the mayor said the Pasig PNP arrested an online seller of illegal firecrackers and confiscated the fireworks he was selling.

“Nanghuhuli po kami ngayon ng mga nagtitinda ng illegal firecrackers. Ito po kahapon, naaresto ng PNP Pasig ang isang online seller at kinumpiska ang mga tinda niyang paputok (We are now arresting those who sell illegal firecrackers. Just yesterday, the Pasig PNP arrested an online seller and confiscated the fireworks he was selling),” Sotto said. 

In a photo that he provided, the arrested man posted images of various firecrackers he was selling in a Facebook group, saying the prices were “Bocaue prices” and that he was selling them around the Pasig area.

Sotto said this is the first time the local government has not issued any special permits to sell fireworks or firecrackers.

“Kahit yung nagmamakaawa sa opisina kahapon, hindi na po pinagbigyan (Even those who begged at the office yesterday were not granted any permits),” he said. 

However, he said the challenge is that fireworks factories and distributors nearby make it possible for illegal firecrackers to still reach the city.

“Ang problema lang talaga natin, ang lapit sa atin ng mga pagawaan at distributor ng paputok. kaya nakakapasok at nakakapasok pa rin. Nasa gitna rin tayo, may boundary sa 7 LGU; ito rin naman yung nagiging problema sa ibang bagay gaya ng mga homeless na lumilipat lipat tuwing may rescue operations ang isang LGU (The main challenge is the proximity of fireworks factories and distributors, which allows illegal firecrackers to still enter the city. Being in the middle, with boundaries shared by seven LGUs, also creates challenges in other areas, such as homeless people moving from place to place whenever one LGU conducts rescue operations),” he explained.

On the other hand, he vowed that the Pasig PNP and barangays will continue to apprehend those selling prohibited firecrackers to ensure a safe New Year celebration.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier 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 a stray bullet.

The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded at least 28 cases from December 21 to 25. 

As of Saturday, the DOH reported that the firework-related injuries nationwide have climbed to 57 cases, including two children who lost fingers in separate firecracker explosions.

Based on the DOH’s latest monitoring, 35 of the 57 firework-related injuries involved minors, with all victims sustaining multiple injuries or burns to different parts of the body.

Meanwhile, the PNP reported 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 the illegal sale of firecrackers.

While the number of cases is lower compared with the same period last year, the DOH warned that firecrackers remain dangerous, whether sold legally or illegally.

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