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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider 4 nabbed after powerful Bulacan blast

4 nabbed after powerful Bulacan blast

Published Jan 3, 2026 01:21 pm
Four suspects were arrested and another is being hunted after a powerful illegal firecracker explosion rocked Jacinto Street, Barangay Santiago, City of Malolos, Bulacan, on Wednesday night, just 30 minutes before the New Year’s countdown.
Lt. Col. Rommel E. Geneblazo, Malolos police chief (5th from left), presents four of the five persons responsible for the powerful firecracker explosion on Jacinto Street in Barangay Santiago, City of Malolos, last Wednesday, Dec. 31. (Photo from Malolos Police Station)
Lt. Col. Rommel E. Geneblazo, Malolos police chief (5th from left), presents four of the five persons responsible for the powerful firecracker explosion on Jacinto Street in Barangay Santiago, City of Malolos, last Wednesday, Dec. 31. (Photo from Malolos Police Station)
The blast shattered the glass of nine Baliwag Transport buses and damaged three nearby houses.
Police and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)/K9 personnel clarified on Friday, Jan. 2, that the explosion was not caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) but by illegal fireworks.
Malolos police chief Lt. Col. Rommel E. Geneblazo said the suspects face charges for violating RA 7183 (regulating firecrackers), Article 155 of the Revised Penal Code (alarm and scandal), and Article 327 (malicious mischief).
EOD investigators found no IED components at the site, only materials used in firecracker‑making.
CCTV footage showed the device sounded like a whistle bomb, confirming it was an illegal firecracker.
The arrested suspects apologized, saying they did not expect the blast to be so destructive.
Meanwhile, Baliwag Transport and the affected homeowners informed police they will file cases along with their damage reports.

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