As the New Year's approaches, the Rizal Police Provincial Office (Rizal PPO) has intensified its monitoring and confiscation of illegally sold firecrackers and pyrotechnics in the province to ensure a safe celebration, with police reporting that around P23,540 worth were confiscated in a single day of operations on Friday, Dec. 26.
The operations were conducted in several parts of the province as part of an anti-illegal selling operation against prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnics, as well as pursuant to RPPO Implan Iwas Paputok and existing local ordinances.
In Pililla, personnel from the Pililla Municipal Police Station (MPS) conducted operations in the barangays of Bagumbayan, Quisao, Wawa, Takungan, and Malaya starting around 8 a.m. They confiscated 23 pieces of boga with an estimated value of P2,300.
Authorities said that during the operation, owners immediately abandoned the improvised prohibited pyrotechnic devices upon sensing the presence of the police team, leading to their confiscation.
In Binangonan, a joint force of the MPS, Barangay Peace and Security Officers (BPSOs), and the local government conducted operations in four barangays, confiscating a total of 22 pieces of boga worth P2,200, most of which were confiscated from minors, in accordance with Municipal Ordinance No. 005, S. 2025.
In Morong, two separate operations were conducted at around 12 p.m. Personnel from the Intelligence Operatives of Morong MPS carried out the first operation in Barangay San Jose, resulting in the confiscation of five packs of Three Star firecrackers worth P900. Additionally, 10 pieces of boga valued at P1,000 were also seized after their owners abandoned them.
In Rodriguez, separate operations were also conducted in Kasiglahan Village and Southville 8C, Barangay San Jose, and Barangay San Isidro. Authorities confiscated various types of illegal firecrackers, including kwitis, higad, luces, roman candles, pop-pop, and whistling moon travellers, with an estimated total value of P7,980. All items were reportedly abandoned by the sellers upon seeing the police.
In Tanay, 18 pieces of improvised boga worth P1,350 were confiscated in the barangays of Wawa and Katipunan-Bayani, most of which were from minors.
In Baras, 15 pieces of gas-powered cannons, or “boga,” valued at P2,000, were seized in accordance with Municipal Ordinance No. 02, S. 2018.
In Antipolo City, various types of firecrackers were confiscated in Sitio Kapatagan, Barangay San Jose, including Three Star Special, higad, sinturon ni Judas, and kwitis, with an estimated street value of P4,000 after being abandoned by an unidentified seller.
Meanwhile, in Angono, authorities also seized a variety of prohibited firecrackers, including Pacquiao Ultrama, Corsair, whistle bomb, De Fuego, sinturon ni Judas, kwitis, and four pieces of boga, with a total value of P1,810, after the vendor fled.
The confiscated items were turned over to the Rizal Police Provincial Office in Barangay Dolores, Taytay, Rizal, for ceremonial destruction.
Authorities reminded the public, especially parents, that the use and sale of illegal firecrackers is strictly prohibited, particularly among minors, to prevent accidents and ensure a safe New Year celebration.