BURAUEN, Leyte – The Police Regional Office-8 on Wednesday destroyed confiscated firecrackers in Eastern Visayas valued at P317,314 during a ceremony in this municipality.
Police Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, PRO-8 director, said these items were seized in 428 operations during their Ligtas Paskuhan campaign from December to Jan. 5.
Forty-one violators were arrested and 71,377 prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices were recovered.
During the holiday season, PRO-8 designated deputized personnel in every station to conduct operations against prohibited firecrackers, ensuring community safety and preventing further firecracker-related injuries.
Capoy said that by safely disposing of the hazardous items, they reaffirmed their resolve to protect communities and strengthen partnerships with other agencies in sustaining and intensifying efforts in serving and protecting the people of Eastern Visayas.
Police Major Jude Nicolasora, officer-in-charge of the Regional Explosive Canine Unit (RECU-8), said that unlike previous years, the contraband was not soaked in water during disposal.
Instead, they were removed from their packaging, placed in a pit, and soaked in diesel and sawdust, before they burned.
Police Col. Dionisio Apas Jr., Leyte police director, reported only four firecracker-related injuries in the province during the holiday season compared to the previous year.
Apas said they confiscated 16,827 firecrackers and arrested 17 individuals in 81 operations.
A ceremonial disposal was also held at PRO-8 headquarters in Palo, Leyte.